Student Dress

The following policy (Policy 4316) was adopted by the Franklin County Board of Education effective October 12, 2015.

The board believes that the dress and personal appearance of students greatly affect their academic performance and their interaction with other students. The board requests that parents outfit their children in clothing that is conducive to learning. Generally, dress and grooming standards as determined by the student and his or her parents will be deemed acceptable.

However, the board prohibits any appearance or clothing that does the following:

1. violates a reasonable dress code adopted and publicized by the school;

2. is substantially disruptive;

3. is provocative or obscene; or

4. endangers the health or safety of the student or others.

Before being punished, a student who is not in compliance with this policy or a school dress code will be given a reasonable period of time to make adjustments so that he or she will be in compliance. Disciplinary consequences for a student who fails to comply after being offered this opportunity shall be consistent with Section D of policy 4300, Student Behavior Policies. The superintendent or designee shall list in the Code of Student Conduct the specific range of consequences that may be imposed on a student for violation of the dress code.

The Franklin County Board of Education respects a student's right to choose his or her style of dress or appearance; however, students are expected to adhere to standards of cleanliness and compatibility with a good school environment. If a student's dress or lack of cleanliness is such that it constitutes a threat to health or safety, the principal or principal's designee may require the student and the student's parents to take appropriate action to remedy the situation. In addition, if a student's dress or appearance is so unusual, inappropriate or lacking in cleanliness that it clearly disrupts classroom or educational activities, the student will immediately be required to change his or her dress or appearance.

Student violations of this policy shall be handled by the principal or designee in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and the school's Student Handbook.

Principals will maintain guidelines to assist students in determining appropriate dress and appearance for school, copies of which will be made available to parents and students. Items listed below shall be included in all school guidelines and shall apply to all students at school or during a school sponsored activity. Reasonable accommodations will be made by the school principal or designee for those students who, because of religious belief, cultural heritage, or medical reason request a waiver of a particular guideline for dress or appearance.

Reasonable accommodation shall be made by the principal for students involved in special duties, activities or projects approved by the school, including but not limited to athletics, vocational classes and projects, special events or other activities that would allow for non-conforming dress on a school campus or during a school activity.

• Clothing must be age appropriate, not disruptive to the teaching-learning process, and cannot be provocative, revealing, indecent, vulgar, or obscene.

• Hats, sweatbands, bandannas, or sunglasses will not be worn inside the school buildings.

• Shorts may be no higher than mid-thigh.

• Skirts and dresses must be no higher than three inches above the top of the knee. Shirts and blouses may not be tank top, spaghetti straps, or sleepwear.

• Clothing will not be allowed which promotes alcoholic beverages, tobacco, or the use of controlled substances; depicts violence; is of a sexual nature; or is of a disruptive nature.

• Shirts and blouses must cover cleavage, the waist, midriff, and go past the waistline.

• Clothing is not to be sheer or mesh and cannot have excessive holes.

• No sagging pants are allowed. All pants should be worn at the waistline.

• Proper footwear is required. Shoes that have laces must be laced, tied, and fit.

• Abnormal hair coloring or hair styles that disrupt classroom or educational activities will not be allowed.

• Undergarments are not to be visible.

• Clothing must be worn appropriately; for example, nothing may be worn inside-out or backwards, pant legs may not be rolled up, bib overalls must be fastened, belts must be buckled and worn at the waistline.

• Clothing articles commonly recognized as being related to a group or gang which provokes others to act violently or be intimidated by fear of violence shall not be worn on the campus on at any school activity.

• There shall be no jewelry affixed to a student's nose, tongue, lips, cheek, eyebrow or other areas of the student's body if the jewelry so worn disrupts classroom or educational activities.

• Chains, including those hanging from clothing, such as wallet chains, which could endanger the health and safety of the student or other students

• Fringed garments in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) areas as well as in other instructional areas/activities which contain machinery.

• Items of clothing that would impair the health and safety of the student during normal school activities.

Franklinton High School Dress Code Policy

In addition to the Franklin County School Board Policies, the following rules and regulations apply to Franklinton High School students.  Students are accountable for knowing these rules and regulations as well as the School Board Policies contained in the Student Code of Conduct.

1. Shirts and blouses must cover the midriff at all times, even when hands are outstretched above the head.  No cleavage should be visible.

2. No sagging pants that expose undergarments (including gym shorts worn under jeans) are allowed.  Pants must be worn at the waist.

3. Bandannas of any color, on males or females, are prohibited. This includes in a pocket, worn on wrists or those worn by females as hair accessories. 

4. No excessive holes/large holes. Specifically above the mid-thigh.

5. Any article of clothing or accessory, including jewelry, which promotes or represents gang affiliation or violence, is prohibited.

Note:  Students violating the dress code will receive consequences including ISS, and for excessive or repeated offense, OSS.  The dress code is well publicized and students should arrive at school within the policy and remain so throughout the school day.