Changes Proposed for MARSD Teacher Dress Code Policy

The Matawan Aberdeen Regional Board of Education plans to amend the Dress and Grooming policy, which regulates the appearance and dress of the teaching staff. They read the policy at the board's regular action meeting Tuesday night.

The policy will largely remain the same with the exception of one sentence. Rather than state, "All staff members, when pupils are present, shall," the amended policy will state, "All staff members shall"

In effect, the change requires teaching staff to be in dress code at all times they are on school grounds or in their role as a teaching professional.

Marshall Gorman, a district teacher who disagrees with the change to the policy, said this will require teachers and administrators to follow the dress code during summer breaks while moving boxes and rearranging furniture to prepare the classroom for a new school year and during professional development days.

The dress code requires female teachers to where dresses, blouses or sweaters and skirts, pant suits or slacks while male teachers are required to wear suits, slacks with jackets, shirts with collars with or without a tie, turtleneck shirts, sweaters and dress shoes with either soft or hard soles.

Administrators are held to more strict business attire, according to the policy. Women are expected to wear, "appropriate business attire," and men are expected to wear a shirt and tie.

There are exceptions in the policy for physical education teachers, teachers with a medical need to dress differently (i.e. must wear sneakers) and for science teachers who may be conducting experiments with students.

Multiple teachers spoke out against the dress code change at the board meeting.

"Individual dress is a highly symbolic expression in our society and one with a great deal of emotional investment. I can understand the board's desire to create an atmosphere of respect...while pupils are present," said Gorman. "I would argue you are going beyond your stated purpose and disrespecting us as professionals when saying that we must follow this dresscode whenever we are involved with the performance of our professional duties."

Andrew Lasko, a teacher at Lloyd Road School, also spoke out against the policy amendment because he believes some classrooms are too warm for such regulations and because he believes school-related t-shirts emphasize to students that they are part of a shared community.

"This red collared shirt I bought at Sports Authority for forty bucks," Lasko said, pointing to his shirt as he stood at the podium. "It means nothing to me. Those 64 steel grey and maroon t-shirts that I have bought or made mean something to me. They make me feel part of something."

The policy does state that there are exceptions to the dress code in specific situations. It reads, "When necessary, in a consistent manner, the Building Principal or his/her designee, may relax the dress code for members of the faculty (i.e. field trips, unique school acitivities, inclement weather, excessive heat, etc.)"

The board is expected to vote on changing the policy at the next regular action meeting on Nov. 14.