Clifton ISD Principals relay teacher/staff feedback regarding the dress code policy to Clifton School Board
By Jess Houser
Clifton School Board met Monday, August 8 for a public hearing followed by a workshop. The main topic of discussion before the budget workshop for the upcoming school year was the district’s dress code policies for students and staff.
Specifically, the board discussed changes proposed by campus principals regarding earrings worn by male students and tattoos for both students and staff. Before beginning their discussion, campus principals were asked to voice their recommendations on these changes.
Principals Address the Board
Dr. Wes Brown, Clifton Elementary School Principal, opened with his opinion that tattoos should be covered. However, he continued with input from his staff saying they did not see the problem with them.
Jimmy Jackson, Clifton High School principal, expanded on this remark with information regarding students at the high school.
“When a student turns 18, they may get a tattoo,” Jackson said. “They’re old enough, so they can. It’s usually something small on their hand or a Bible verse. Nothing offensive.”
These small tattoos, Jackson admitted, often have to be covered by something more distracting than the body art. He added there are also a few male students who want to wear earrings, part of the policy in which a change has been recommended.
“An earring does not take away from the learning environment.”
Additionally, Jackson added that some of his staff would also agree with Dr. Brown’s staff about teachers showing tattoos.
“Teachers don’t see how tattoos interfere with their learning environment,” Jackson said. “With the teacher shortage we have right now, covering a tattoo may be the thing that causes a teacher to look outside of our district,” Jackson added.
Brian Bartlett, Clifton Middle School principal, explained that tattoos do not hold the same negative meaning now as they did in years past.
“Tattoos are not seen in the same negative light,” Bartlett said. “My teachers have voiced their concerns with the policy,” Bartlett said. “We [the principals] will enforce any policy you [the board] decides on,” Bartlett, who started his first year with the district this school year, added when asked about following the dress code.
The Board Responds and Decides
Board Member Josh Ritzmann opened discussions. “Tattoos are unprofessional and send the wrong message to our students.” He added that Clifton has high standards that students and staff should uphold, especially when representing the district in public.
“We want our students to represent the standards we believe in,” Ritzmann said.
Board Secretary Courtney Mayfield added, “In my personal opinion tattoos should be covered.” She went on to add how teachers with visible tattoos could influence students to make “impulsive decisions” when they are old enough to get a tattoo.
“An eighteen-year-old is highly impressionable,” Mayfield said, “and their decisions will last the rest of their lives.”
Board Vice President Dr. Jan Zuehlke disagreed with her fellow board members. “Tattoos are not unprofessional,” she said. “In this century, tattoos are more common. Students are used to seeing them in public, and even at home.”
Dr. Zuehlke went on to add how she did not see how tattoos or male students with earrings were a distraction to the educational environment. “I just don’t see how this is a problem in the classroom.”
Board President Julie New offered her input from a different perspective. “I came from Dallas, where many students had earrings and tattoos, even in middle school,” she said. “I would agree that there seems to be no educational issues with tattoos or male students wearing earrings. However, based on what I’ve heard tonight, consistency in our policies is important, so we should try it for another year to keep it consistent.”
Following the discussion, the board voted 4:1 to keep the current policies in place: tattoos must be covered by both students and teachers, and male students cannot wear earrings. Voting in favor of keeping the current policies: New. Mayfield, Ritzmann, and Matt Domel. Voting against keeping the current policies: Dr. Zuehlke. Abstaining from the vote: Dr. Skylar Bizzell.
Other Business
In other business, the board discussed their 2022-2023 Back-to-School Plan. Parents do have the opportunity to request dividers in the classroom for COVID-19 purposes.
They also discussed the price of school lunches. During the past two years, schools received funds to pay for all students to get a free lunch. That funding has been discontinued, so lunch prices will resume this school year.
Lisa Prescher, CISD business manager, discussed budget proposals for the upcoming school year. Proposals will be reviewed by the board.
