The dress code at Central High School has sparked plenty of discussion among both students and teachers this year. Many agree that it’s more relaxed than in the past, but opinions still differ on whether it’s fair, or even necessary.
Senior Blaine Cavett said the current dress code is “a whole lot more comfortable” than when he was a freshman wearing khakis and collared shirts. He thinks it’s “pretty fair” overall, but believes it should still allow students, especially girls, to express themselves. “It’s better to let your students express themselves with the clothing they wear than, ya know, the same stuff,” he said. Blaine also made it clear that he’s against uniforms, saying most students “would have a fit” if they were introduced.
Teacher Katheron Latham, who has taught at Central for eight years, agreed that uniforms aren’t necessary. “I think the dress code is the most lenient dress code we’ve had since I’ve been teaching at Central,” she said. While she supports some guidelines to maintain professionalism and appropriateness, she believes teachers have “the wisdom to decide what they should wear to look professional.”
Similarly, Kevin Parsons appreciates the freedom students have. “I haven’t seen any attire that would interfere with the learning environment,” he said, adding that while he occasionally reminds students about hats and hoods, dress code enforcement rarely interrupts his teaching anymore. Parsons doesn’t believe teachers should follow the same rules as students, noting that “teachers have an entirely different role in the school.”
For students like Lincoln Marquardt, the current rules strike a good balance. “I personally like the dress code. I can wear basically anything I want to wear,” he said. Lincoln feels that being able to choose what to wear helps students “feel good about themselves” and express their individuality.
However, not everyone feels the same. Roziya Ward said she understands the dress code “to a certain extent” but finds some of it unfair especially for girls. “We should be able to wear skirts and shorts that are fingertip length,” she said, sharing that she was dress-coded on the second day of school for wearing a skirt.
While opinions vary, one thing is clear: most students and teachers at Central appreciate having more freedom than in past years. Whether the dress code will continue to evolve remains to be seen, but for now, it’s a conversation that’s keeping both sides talking.
