School board could vote on dress code Tuesday
On the agenda
The Janesville School Board will hold a listening session from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. Tuesday at the Educational Services Center, 527 S. Franklin St. The board will hold its regular meeting in the same building at 6:30 p.m. Agenda items include:
-- Possible discussion of a new handbook proposal that would govern staff use of electronic communications.
-- Presentation of proposed school staffing assumptions for 2013-14, which are unchanged from the current year. The assumptions are the basis for class sizes as well as most of the district's spending.
-- Acceptance of the resignation, effective Jan. 1, of longtime Parker High School science teacher Sean Hildebrandt.
The board will meet in closed session after the regular meeting to discuss early-retirement benefits and employee compensation. The board is considering changes in early-retirement benefits when current union contracts run out next summer. The board also will consider "employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data" of an employee or employees.
JANESVILLE — The Janesville School Board could vote on a new staff dress code when it meets Tuesday.
Current rules call for teachers and other employees to dress "appropriately." A draft proposal that would define what is appropriate sparked controversy when it was introduced earlier this fall.
Some employees have said that few staff members dress inappropriately and that better enforcement is needed, not more detailed rules.
Superintendent Karen Schulte said principals and other supervisors should be given rules that are clear, enforceable and more specific.
A revised code sent to school board members Friday is shorter than the first draft and accommodates some of the criticisms.
For example, the code now includes a longer list of situations and jobs for which the dress code would not apply, including exceptions for hot weather and for staff who work with "the very young and/or behaviorally challenged students."
The list of permitted attire includes "professional attire, business, business-casual or clothing that is appropriate to the day's activities;" collared shirts; and sweaters, skirts, dresses and blouses for women.
Minor changes include the addition of turtlenecks and corduroys to the list of approved clothing.
The code no longer mentions that skirts must be "of modest length," but it continues to forbid clothing that "causes distraction," is "ill-fitting" or is "provocative."
The revision continues to say that principals and other supervisors would decide what is appropriate dress.
"Blue jean clothing of any color or style" continues to be on the list of no-nos.
"Leggings as primary pants" are banned. The previous drafts simply banned leggings.
The revision continues to include the potential for a supervisor to send an employee home to change and to dock the employee's pay for time lost. Employees would be responsible for asking their supervisors if the employees aren't sure about the rules.
The code would become a part of the new employee handbook. The handbook would replace rules that are now a part of union contacts, which expire June 30, 2013.
Dave Parr, president of the teachers union, said Sunday he hadn't read the revision, so he couldn't comment.
Parr said he was surprised the proposal is listed for a possible vote Tuesday, as his impression was that officials wanted to spend more time on it.
Parr said he thought the board was staying away from employee-handbook decisions until the courts settle challenges to a new state law known as Act 10. The law allows school boards to impose work rules rather than negotiate them in union contracts.
Dec 11, 2012 at 6:47 p.m.
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"no denim" is a knee jerk reactionary statement by someone grasping for power.
Dec 11, 2012 at 6:45 p.m.
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Such a hullabaloo about how people dress. I cannot remember a single parent coming to conferences in the past 5 years who was not dressed in jeans, sweat pants, PJ bottoms, or scrubs.
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Two of my favorite outfits over the years are a jumper and skirt made from denim. Then there are the denim jackets that seem to "go with" just about anything. I do not feel unprofessional when I wear these item; I feel relaxed and ready to teach. BTW my skirt & jumper are mid-calf in length. Not really sure how this is going to improve student achievement or enhance parent/teacher relationships. . . .
Dec 11, 2012 at 6:05 p.m.
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Isn't it hypocritical that the Tea Party, Walker-supporter types seek more regulations for teachers but support deregulation everywhere else?
Dec 11, 2012 at 4:48 p.m.
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What is wrong with jeans? They make some very nice colored jeans these days. Torn, raggy jeans, yes but I see nothing wrong with a nice pair of dress jeans. As a parent I do not want to walk into the school and feel like I am dressed as a slob, I also do not want to see a teacher dressed "several steps above me." I think the dress code needs to be more relevant to the direction society is headed, not going backwards. Nice dressy jean are perfectly acceptable!
Dec 11, 2012 at 11:53 a.m.
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Against a dress code? grow up! Sound like a bunch of babies..Then you wonder why theres people out there that dont see teachers as professionals...I'm also willing to bet 90% of teachers dont mind a dress code because they all ready fit the bill...
Dec 11, 2012 at 11:33 a.m.
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If the problem is that school administration is not willing to enforce a dress code how does replacing it with a new dress code address the problem? It seems to me what might need to be replaced is the administration.
Dec 11, 2012 at 10:42 a.m.
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?? cause I am green?
Dec 11, 2012 at 10:19 a.m.
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Frogger, look in the mirror,... Now see if you can stop laughing !
Dec 11, 2012 at 8:57 a.m.
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No more jeans and sandels- boo hoo how can we teach now??
fear- nobody is asking for suits and fingerpaint. Get real. Khakis not jeans.
I see JCP employees now wears jeans. Sorry it looks like crap. Faded jeans and crappy faded cotton tshirt like shirts. Tennis shoes too.
You are teachers not classmates. Dress like you are going to a real job!
Dec 11, 2012 at 12:35 a.m.
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""Superintendent Karen Schulte said principals and other supervisors should be given rules that are clear, enforceable and more specific.""
Yes because administrators that make in many cases near 100,000 dollars a year cannot determine what is inappropriate or not, right "Doctor" Schulte? Give it a rest, this whole shenanegan is just a power play by a certain few members of the board that believe the school should be like a business environment. I will tell you then please show up to a Kindergarten classroom in your business suit and put on your smock for finger painting day!! Then the kids will really understand their role models.....at the age of 5!!! This is just a joke and a circus. Unfortunately another black eye for the city of Janesville, brought on by the political minority here.
Dec 10, 2012 at 11:24 p.m.
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The shorter, revised version seems appropriate for the teachers. Enforcement will ultimately define the success or failure of the dress code issue. The code should not apply to teachers at protest events (mandated by the union) unless the teacher is recieving (taxpayer provided) sick pay during that event.
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