TAMPA, Fla. — Just weeks after approving a new student code of conduct, Hillsborough County School Board members are considering changing it.
The debate centers on a dress code requirement for students wearing leggings. One parent says that the rule unfairly targets girls, and he has gathered thousands of signatures calling for it to be changed.
Just weeks before the start of a new school year, Oleg Martens said he and his two daughters were shocked by a sudden change to the dress code.
“There was an intro to high school that my daughter went to. She came back with a friend from orientation day and said, ‘You know what Dad, they’re banning spandex. They’re banning yoga pants,’” he said.
This is the part of the dress code he’s talking about: It states, in part, that spandex or leggings are not permitted unless worn as an undergarment or covered by clothing that extends at least mid-thigh.
“Why now? This is a comfortable clothing choice they can make to go to school and still meet what used to be the dress code for Hillsborough County, so I don’t understand any of that, and frankly, I disagree with it because I think the rule disproportionately effects girls,” said Martens.
Martens started this petition two weeks ago — since then, nearly 3,000 people have signed it. He also spoke at last week’s school board meeting, asking board members to take a second look.
Nearly 3,000 people have signed the petition.
“We would like to better understand as a community what motivated the changes. What data was used, what peer review studies, what empirical data was used. I’ve done a little bit of research online and I’m finding no conclusive evidence that indicates restricting what young women can wear at school reduces distractions or improves the learning experience,” he said, addressing the school board.
Board members listened and are taking a second look on Tuesday. They will decide whether to amend the leggings portion of the dress code.
“Our student code of conduct goes before parents, students, administrators — to get to that point, of committees who have gone through and looked at that, but our board is listening to our families,” said Hillsborough County School Superintendent Van Ayres. “And there were some concerns around that, so they’re going to talk about it (Tuesday).”
The Martens family says they’ll be watching closely to see whether school board members agree that the policy deserves a change.
The Hillsborough School Board will vote at Tuesday’s meeting. It starts at 4 p.m.
