E. Uniform Dress Code: Subject to the terms and conditions set forth below the School Board has adopted this policy providing for a uniform dress code pertaining to all students in grades six through eight as follows:

 

1. Findings: Based upon evidence presented to the School Board in public meeting and a public hearing, the recommendations of the Superintendent and his staff, and the opinions of parents/guardians, educators and others with knowledge, experience and expertise regarding student behavior and discipline, the School Board finds that public schools in Polk County are experiencing increasingly disruptive and violent behavior by a substantial number of students; an increase in student membership in gangs and student participation in gang activities, including the wearing of gang colors or symbols promoting and encouraging violent, disruptive and unlawful behavior; increasing use and possession of illegal drugs, alcoholic beverages, weapons and other contraband articles by a growing number of younger students; a decreasing level of self-control and self-discipline by a growing number of students; and numerous distractions that interfere with students' academic performance. The Board also finds that, in those Polk County public schools that have employed voluntary student uniform dress codes or policies and in those Polk County magnet schools that have mandated that students wear a school uniform, there has been a significant reduction in student disciplinary actions and referrals; a reduction in violent, disruptive and distracting behavior; improved school spirit with students having greater pride in their school's appearance and greater respect for the school facilities resulting in reduced vandalism, a decrease in incidents of student violence and students being in possession of weapons; a decrease in student drug use and possession; the virtual elimination of gang clothing and insignia; and a substantial reduction in peer pressure among students to acquire and wear the latest fashions.

2. Purpose and Intent: In adopting this policy it is the School Board's purpose and intent to enable all of the public elementary and middle schools in Polk County to experience the same improvements in student behavior and discipline as those described in paragraph 1. above.

3. Scope: This policy shall apply to all students in sixth through eighth grade except for students attending the following schools or centers:

a. Fort Meade Junior-Senior Middle-Senior High School,
b. Frostproof Middle-Senior High School,
c. Gause Career Development Center Academy,
d. Lake Alfred Career Development Center Academy,  or the
e. Teen Parent Program.
 
4. Magnet Schools: Magnet school student uniform requirements shall take precedence over the uniform dress code described herein.

5. Basic Uniform Clothing: At each school to which this uniform dress code applies, the Principal shall confer with the school's QIC SAC to develop and publish a school dress code that will contain the following basic uniform requirements as to the styles and colors of clothing.

a. Girls? Basic Uniform: The basic uniform clothing for girls in sixth through eighth grade shall consist of a long or short-sleeved navy blue or white collared blouse or polo shirt with a dark blue, black or khaki (tan) skirt, walking shorts, slacks, skorts, jumper or similar clothing. The skirt, shorts, slacks, skorts, jumpers or other similar clothing may be of denim, corduroy or twill fabric.

b. Boys? Basic Uniform: The basic uniform clothing for boys in sixth through eighth grade shall consist of a long or short-sleeved navy blue or white collared shirt, such as a polo, oxford or dress shirt, and a dark blue, black or khaki (tan) pair of long pants or walking shorts. The pants or shorts may be of denim, corduroy or twill fabric.

c. Additional Uniform Alternatives: In addition to the basic uniform clothing specified in paragraphs a. and b. above, at the discretion of the Principal, a school may include in the school's uniform dress code the following alternatives:

 1). One additional specified color may be allowed for the collared shirt or blouse; and
 2). One specified plaid may be allowed for the skirt, shorts, slacks, skorts, and jumpers.
d. Considerations: In selecting such alternatives, if any, the Principal and QIC SAC shall take into consideration the availability, affordability and practicality of the alternative.

e. School T-Shirts: In addition to the shirts and blouses described in subparagraphs a., b., and c. above, each school may include in its uniform dress code the option of allowing students to wear a school-sponsored T-shirt (which may have a crew neck rather than a collar).

f. Outer Garments: The uniform dress code shall not prohibit students from wearing coats, jackets, sweaters or other appropriate outer garments when necessary due to weather conditions or for other legitimate reasons.

g. District-wide Dress Code: All other aspects of student dress and appearance not covered by this uniform dress code policy shall be governed by the remaining provisions of this section and any related school rules pertaining to student appearance.
 

6. Financial Considerations:
a. Financial Hardships: No student shall be denied attendance at school or be otherwise penalized for failing to wear clothing that complies with the uniform dress code if such failure is due to financial hardship.

b. Assistance: Each school's Principal and QIC shall develop procedures and criteria to offer assistance to students who would have or are having difficulty complying with their school's uniform dress code due to financial hardships; and shall develop a program to provide for donations of clothing or financial assistance, consignment shops or reuse of uniform clothing or similar program that would alleviate such financial hardships.
 

7. New Students: Students entering the Polk County public school system during the school year shall be granted a grace period of one (1) month before being required to comply with the uniform dress code. Parents of those students may also apply for an exemption within this thirty (30) day grace period in the same manner as described in paragraph 10. herein.

8. Alternative Education Disciplinary Programs: Students in grades 6 through 8 assigned to an Alternative Education Disciplinary Program shall be required to dress in accordance with the uniform dress code in affect effect at the school in which they were enrolled before their assignment to the Alternative Education Disciplinary Program.

9. Exceptions: Exceptions to the uniform dress code shall be permitted when:

a. A student wears a uniform of a nationally recognized youth organization, such as the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, on regular meeting days;

b. A student wears a button, armband, or other accouterment to exercise the right of free speech guaranteed by the United States and Florida Constitutions, unless the button, armband, or other accouterment signifies or is related to gangs, gang membership, or gang activity or would otherwise violate the dress code policy.

c. A student wears a costume or special clothing necessary for a school play or other school-sponsored activity as permitted by the Principal;

d. The wearing of clothing in compliance with the uniform dress code violates a student's sincerely held religious belief;

e. The wearing of clothing in compliance with the uniform dress code would be injurious to the student?s health or safety; or

f. A student's parent or guardian has secured an exemption from the uniform dress code by following the procedure set forth in paragraph 10. below.

10. Annual Exemptions and Procedures: Parents or guardians may apply for their child or children to be exempt from the uniform dress code for that particular school year for any reasons outlined in paragraph 9. above by using the following procedures:
a. At the beginning of the school year and no later than thirty (30) calendar days following the first day of school, a written Application for Exemption from the Uniform Dress Code ("Application"), which may be obtained in the school office, must be completed in its entirety, signed by the parent or guardian and submitted to the Principal. The Application shall include a written explanation of the reason why the exemption is requested and acknowledgment that the student, if exempted from the uniform dress code, will comply with the other dress code requirements contained herein and in the school's dress code.

b. The Principal or Principal's designee shall meet with the parent or guardian who submitted the Application for the following purposes: to discuss the uniform dress code and the alternative dress code requirements that must apply to students who receive this exemption; to discuss the nature of the parent's objections to the uniform dress code; to ensure that the parent or guardian understands the reasons for and the goals of the uniform dress code; to verify the accuracy of information in the Application; and to prevent fraud, misrepresentation and errors in correctly identifying the student named in the exemption application.

c. If the Principal or designee determines that the exemption application is complete and the reason for the request is adequate, the exemption shall be granted and shall be indicated on the application which shall then be placed in the student's cumulative records with a copy being mailed to the parent.

d. If an exemption is granted, such exemption shall remain in effect for the duration of the current school year only.

11. Breach of Conduct 5.03: Repeated violations of the uniform dress code shall be treated as disruptive behavior under Part V, Breaches of Conduct, Section 5.03,Disruptive Behavior and/or Minor Infractions.