502.01 - Student Appearance

The board believes inappropriate student appearance causes material and substantial disruption to the school environment or presents a threat to the health and safety of students, employees and visitors.

Students are expected to adhere to standards of cleanliness and dress that are compatible with the requirements of a good learning environment. The standards will be those generally acceptable to the community as appropriate in a school setting.

The board expects students to be clean and well-groomed and wear clothes in good repair and appropriate for the time, place and occasion. Clothing or other apparel promoting products illegal for use by minors and clothing displaying obscene material, profanity, or reference to prohibited conduct are disallowed. While the primary responsibility for appearance lies with the students and their parents, appearance disruptive to the education program will not be tolerated. When, in the judgment of a principal, a student's appearance or mode of dress disrupts the educational process or constitutes a threat to health or safety, the student may be required to make modifications.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent, in conjunction with the principals, to develop administrative regulations regarding this policy.  

 

 

Legal Reference:  Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260 (1988).
                                     Bethal School District v. Fraser, 478 U.S. 675 (1986).   
                                     Tinker v. Des Moines Ind. Comm. Sch. Dist., 393 U.S. 503 (1969).
                                     Bystrom v. Fridley High School, 822 F.2d 747 (8th Cir. 1987).
                                     Torvik v. Decorah Community School, 453 F.2d 779 (8th Cir. 1972).
                                     Turley v. Adel Community School District, 322 F.Supp. 402 (S.D. Iowa 1971).
                                     Sims v. Colfax Comm. School Dist., 307 F.Supp. 485 (Iowa 1970).
                                     Iowa Code § 279.8

I.C. Iowa Code                          Description
Iowa Code § 279.8                    Directors - General Rules - Bonds of Employees

U.S. Supreme Court                  Description
393 U.S. 503                             Tinker v Des Moines Ind. Comm. Sch. Dist. (1969)
484 U.S. 260                             Hazelwood School District v Kuhlmeier (1988)

Case Law                                             Description
Bethal School Dist. v. Fraser                  478 U.S. 675 (1986)
Bystrom v. Fridley HS                           822 F.2d 747 (8th Cir. 1987)
Hazelwood School Dist v. Kuhlmeier     484 U.S. 260 (1988)
Sims v. Colfax CSD                              307 F.Supp. 485 (Iowa 1970)
Tinker v. Des Moines ICSD                   393 U.S. 503 (1969)
Torvik v. Decorah CSD                         453 F.2d 779 (8th Cir. 1972)
Turley v. Adel CSD                               322 F.Supp. 402 (S.D. Iowa 1971

Approved: 7/18/2016, 9/20/2021, 1/28/2026
Reviewed: 12/15/2025
Revised: 12/15/2025