FILE:  GAMB

EMPLOYEE DRESS CODE

The Lincoln Parish School Board recognizes that teachers, employees, and administrators have traditionally upheld high standards of professionalism, including that of appropriate, professional attire.  In accordance with that tradition, the School Board embraces the following standards as they relate to employee dress.

DRESS AND PERSONAL GROOMING

Employees are expected to be guided in their grooming habits by what is most generally accepted in the business and professional world.  Employee dress and grooming shall not detract from the learning/educational environment of students’ participation in classes, school programs or other school-related activities.  Extremes in style and fit in employee dress and extremes in style of grooming shall not be permitted.  Building administrators and principals shall be authorized to use their discretion in determining extremes in styles of dress and grooming and what is appropriate and suitable for School Board employees.  No employees shall wear, possess, use, distribute, display, or sell any clothing, jewelry, emblem, blade, symbols, sign, or other things which are affiliated with drugs, alcohol, violence, or gang-related activities.  Policies regarding dress and grooming stress the importance of reducing distractions that inhibit learning and are addressed in an attempt to enhance the learning environment.

The School Board shall not discriminate against an employee on the basis of a natural, protective or cultural hairstyle.  Natural, protective, or cultural hairstyle shall include, but is not limited to, afros, dreadlocks, twists, locs, braids, cornrow braids, Bantu knots, curls, and hair styled to protect hair texture or for cultural significance.

This policy is not intended to usurp employees’ rights to dress as they please; however, discretion and common sense call for avoidance of any extreme dress that would interfere with the normal educational process.  Principals shall be expected to counsel employees or other personnel assigned to their school on appearance and conduct.

New policy:  July, 2022

Ref:    La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:81, 23:332

Board Minutes, 8-2-22

Lincoln Parish School Board