High Life : A WEEKLY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS : Dress Code Approved for Orange

Orange Unified School District trustees voted 6 to 1 last week to impose a dress code restricting clothing and accessories considered gang-related.

Each school can set its own restrictions to prohibit “the use of any gestures or the presence of any apparel, jewelry, accessory, notebook or manner of grooming” which disrupts school operations or is associated with gangs or “a group that advocates or commits unlawful acts.”

Specific colors, articles of clothing, trademarks and images are not detailed under the policy, which lists the dress code as a preventive measure aimed at the gradually increasing presence of gangs in the county.

“It’s not only a restriction, but in some cases, a protection,” trustee Lila Beavans said.

But two attorneys in the audience said the wording of the new policy is too vague.

“How does a parent know what a child can wear to school? The policy could be subject to legal challenge,” said Jim Aynes, a private lawyer who used to work for the Orange County Department of Education. He said he will help the board revise the wording.

Trustee Barry Resnick cast the dissenting vote, saying he shared the attorneys’ concerns.

Each school in the district can establish and begin enforcing its own dress code when the academic year begins next month.

The policy outlines other preventive measures, such as anti-gang education programs for students and gang recognition training for district staff.

The policy also states that any graffiti on school property should be immediately removed and possibly photographed to “be used in future disciplinary or criminal action against the offenders.”

The Tustin Unified School District adopted a similar dress code policy in July.

“I should warn you that underneath these clothes I’m wearing boxer shorts and I know how to use them.”--Robert Orben