Teacher dress code

     The local teachers' union apparently won't challenge the authority of the school board to set a dress code for educators.
      Although it would have been amusing to watch union officials defend the right of a high-school teacher to ply his trade in a T-shirt, cut-offs and flip-flops, the union made a wise decision.
      Fact is, few reasonable souls oppose efforts to ensure local public school teachers dress appropriately on the job. What constitutes "appropriate" clothing? Admittedly, one person's definition may differ from somebody else's. But certainly members of the school board, elected to oversee district operations, ought to be free to set some guidelines, assuming they don't cause a hardship for teachers.
      Indeed, the 1997 Legislature gave county school boards just such authority, resolving the question of whether a dress code was a matter that must be left to collective bargaining.
      And, in fact, the proposed policy -- which will be before the school board late this month or early next -- does a pretty good job of setting minimal standards. It bans provocative or revealing shirts, tank tops, sweat suits, torn jeans and mini-skirts; slippers, work boots and thongs; and facial jewelry (excluding earrings).
      There are common-sense exceptions for phys ed and vocational instructors, and the code gives principals the leeway to allow teachers to wear shorts and costumes in special circumstances.
      These are not draconian guidelines, yet some union officials claim the dress code is too vague and they profess concern over how it will be interpreted and enforced. Their concern smacks of obfuscation. Private companies successfully enforce open-ended dress codes every day without great difficulty. The code gives principals the same discretion. And somehow we doubt union officials would embrace a rigidly specific code demanding that all male teachers wear cotton slacks, loafers, a long-sleeve collared shirt and a tie.
      For a great many teachers who already take enough pride in their jobs and appearances to dress properly for the classroom, this code will be irrelevant. For the rest, it's a reasonable attempt to impose a bit of sartorial discipline.