Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
All members of the Tucumcari Public Schools board during a meeting June 20 voiced willingness to make changes to the district’s dress code before the school year begins in August.
The board discussed a June 9 handout, titled “Proposal to Update TPS Dress Code Regulations,” that detailed the proposal and a survey about the plan. Board members took no action during the meeting because it was not an action item on the agenda but signaled they would adopt the new policy, with possible minor changes, at their next meeting in July.
A summary page of the handout states: “The administrators have been discussing making changes to our dress code regulation for sometime now. In particular, we have focused on hair styles/color, piercings, and tattoos. We’ve also addressed shredded jeans since that is now allowed under the current regulation.”
Residents also were surveyed on the proposed changes. Of 174 respondents, 82% voted in favor of the new regulations, while 18% opposed them. Respondents included parents, students, other family members and district staff.
Some of the proposed changes, including several that were modified due to survey feedback:
• There would be no prohibition due to hair color, but hairstyles that include beards and mustaches must be well-groomed.
• “Rings or jewelry in pierced locations on a student’s body may be worn in the ears and other areas of the face only.” The current code allows only ear piercings, with no more than six.
• “Tattoos or skin stamps may not display anything considered prohibited.” Tattoos and skin stamps in the current code are “highly discouraged and not to be exposed.”
• “Leggings may be under proper length outer garments.” Under the current code, leggings cannot be worn as pants.
• “For shredded jeans above mid-thigh, leggings or a similar garment must be worn underneath to cover the showing of skin.”
• It proposes deleting this sentence: “Frayed ends on pants are not acceptable, including tears anywhere on the pants.”
Discussion on the dress code apparently drew high interest from constituents, as about 20 people attended the meeting. Meetings rarely draw more than a half-dozen.
Board President Heather Gonzales labeled the current dress code as “archaic,” noting many doctors and ministers have tattoos. She also said her employer, United Parcel Service, once forbid tattoos and beards but has changed with the times.
Gonzales said a few students naturally would push the boundaries of even a revised dress code, but she added the changes likely will boost student attendance.
She advocated posting the dress-code proposal on the school’s website and leaving it open for students’ comments.
Board member Jerry Lopez voiced the need to revise the dress code and “put our students first.”
He insisted the rule that requires a bandage to cover tattoos is more distracting than the tattoos themselves.
As for colored hair, he said: “Little Johnny’s never failed a test because his buddy’s hair is orange.”
Lopez noted a tradition at the state wrestling tournament where participants dye their hair their school colors. Such an act would violate the TPS dress code.
“I think it’s time to change,” he said.
Board member Robert Lucero supported the change, noting his own long hair would violate the dress code.
“Times change. We’ve got to change, too,” he said.
Board member Bo Wallace said the current dress code was “dated,” and changes were needed “to change with the culture.”
Board member Matthew Pacheco said a dress-code change was warranted, but he said he wanted to hear more opinions from parents and students.
Several audience members also supported the proposed changes.
Cassie Huffman, a mental health counselor, said there is a tendency for students of all ages to be teased because of their appearance, and she doubted a dress-code change would have any noticeable effect.
She said she got a tattoo to help her cope after suffering a miscarriage.
“It’s not for everybody, but it was for me,” she said. “Do we have to be judgmental about everything?”
Joni Jones said teachers need to address any dress-code violations quickly and with consistency.
Assistant superintendent Dave Johnson said principals also were in favor of the changes because they’re tired of enforcing the current code. He said the revisions would require only minor wording changes before they’re brought to a vote by the board next month.
Superintendent Aaron McKinney did not attend the meeting. Johnson said he was sick with COVID-19.