School dress code gains preliminary approval

Benjamin Grove

Friday, March 27, 1998 | 9:56 a.m.

A new Clark County School District policy that bans students from wearing tank tops and "booty" shorts is likely to be approved next month.

The School Board Thursday voted to adopt a new dress code policy requiring shirt sleeves to be at least 3 inches long and shorts and skirts to come within 5 inches of the knee. The board is scheduled to make a final vote on the policy April 23.

High school student leaders who helped the board develop the new rules said students would generally accept them.

"There are people who don't want the policy and people who want a policy that is more strict," said Bonanza High School junior Stephanie Hammack. "We're just trying to compromise."

In recent years, dress code policies from school to school have sometimes been confusing, students and faculty have said.

"Most students will just be glad to see some specific measure," said Hammack, who has led a committee of students that discuss student issues with the board.

The new policy makes few changes. Hats of all kinds are still banned. So are shirts that expose bare midriffs. The new policy also clarifies other banned attire: "strapless, low-cut clothing, clothing with slits, or tops and outfits that provide minimum coverage."

Students on the committee compromised on the sleeves, they said. Students originally proposed 2-inch sleeves. Several students at Bonanza Thursday argued tank tops should be acceptable in sweltering Vegas weather.

"If it comes up to the chest, and there is no cleavage showing, I don't think it should matter," said Bonanza freshman Peaches Nicholas. "If it gets hot, (tank tops) keep you cool."

The policy would eliminate one teen fashion trend: exposed bra straps.

"If the bra strap is showing, that shouldn't be allowed," said freshman Christian McCall, who on Thursday wore a tank top at school but later pulled an old T-shirt over it to avoid a scolding from her grandmother. "But if it's a tank top that covers, it should be allowed."

School administrators hope the policy gives them better guidelines to follow when enforcing dress codes. Bonanza assistant superintendent Gwen Amie said school officials typically bust several students -- usually the same students -- each day for dress code violations. Among the most common violations: shorts that reveal buttocks and tops that reveal cleavage, administrators say.

"We're training kids to go out on a job," Amie said. "Part of being here is being dressed appropriately. I sometimes call up parents and say, 'Did you see what your child had on this morning?'"

Several high school boys said they didn't like the new policy.

"I think it's cool we get to see the girls," said Bonanza freshman Anthony Valentino. "That's the reason they wear the stuff."

School Board members said they appreciated the student input. Board member Shirley Barber, at a meeting several weeks ago, said she objected to shorts, but said she was willing to compromise, too.

"I have to be not so conservative," Barber said. "If the students help make the policy, that helps us."