by Editor Mike Lesko
There are pluses and minuses to the new dress code policy put in place earlier this month by the Bedford Board of Education.
If students dress appropriately, they are more likely to be receptive to learning -- and less likely to distract other students. It makes sense to ban weird or offensive logos on shirts along with sunglasses, hats, bandanas and other head gear.
But parents and guardians may rightfully be concerned that they do not have the money for a lot of new clothes.
While School Board member Tim Tench believes the items required in the dress code will be affordable, it may be difficult for the new policy to be enforced if parents cannot pay the clothing costs.
Also, some of the new regulations may be too strict.
The merits of ordering students to tuck in their shirts should be questioned. As anyone with a weight problem realizes, it is more comfortable to let shirt tails hang out. Polo or golf shirts are made to be worn like that anyway. Why punish overweight students like this?
Why the skimpy color selection for girls' and boys' tops? The only solid colors acceptable, according to the Board, are white, tan/cream, yellow, green, blue or black.
Dress and polo shirts with stripes can be just as attractive as the plain colors. Why not those, too? If these "dressy" alternatives were allowed, students might be able to use more of their existing wardrobe, so parents could spend less money on new clothes.
And lastly, as one Board member asked, why mandate pants with belt loops for girls, when they can be difficult to find in stores?
The Board should be commended for giving parents and guardians a four-month head start to get their children's wardrobes set for the fall.
But while the dress code has its merits, it seems like many of parents' cost concerns that were raised over the last few years it took to enact the policy could have been snuffed out with some minor tweaks.