MANCHESTER, N.H. – A proposal to update the Manchester School District’s (MSD) dress code for staff was approved following an amendment and a long debate over topics ranging from the definition of professionalism to constitutional rights.
The policy, Personnel 203: Dress Code for All Manchester School District Staff was created 14 years ago.
Ward 5 Board of School Committee (BOSC) member Jason Bonilla introduced the updated version of the policy after hearing concerns from educators over the restrictiveness of the policy. Bonilla felt that the professionalism of MSD staff comes from their education and abilities, not what they wear. Bonilla felt that clothing worn by teachers that students could relate to is a benefit rather than a hinderance and that the stressful nature of the job makes autonomy in clothing choices a necessity.
“Comfort is not a luxury in this job, it’s a necessity,” said Bonilla. “We are the best district in the state of New Hampshire and (teachers) should be able to wear what they want.”
At-Large BOSC member Jim O’Connell felt that the policy needed to be updated given that most items on the list referred to items of clothing normally worn by women, giving the old policy an impression of misogyny. Ward 8 BOSC Member Jess Spillers agreed with O’Connell’s assessment, stating that many of the prohibited items are already worn by female employees in the district’s schools. Spillers also felt that the concept of “Jeans Friday,” where staff are allowed to wear jeans if they pay $5, should be eliminated although other members of the board felt that it was an appropriate charity fundraising mechanism.
At-Large BOSC member Peter Argeropoulos, who also serves as an educator in Nashua, said that he generally wears a shirt and tie to work even though Nashua’s dress code is far less restrictive. Argeropoulos introduced an amendment replacing the current policy with just the first paragraph of the proposed policy, which asks staff members to dress professionally and appropriately.
MSD Attorney Matt Upton stressed caution making the new policy too vague and too open to interpretation. In particular, he voiced concern about the prohibition of any messaging on clothing, fearing that if some messages were allowed and others were not that it could lead to violations of the staff members’ constitutional rights.
Ward 9 BOSC member Bob Baines agreed with Upton’s concern over messaging on clothing, stating that during his time as an administrator in Manchester, he once saw a teacher wear a shirt at work that promoted alcohol, which he felt was inappropriate.
MSD Superintendent Jenn Chmiel said that the majority of building principals were fine with the new policy given that they could be provided with guidance on enforcement, adding that she did not want to become “The Jeans Police.”
Ward 1 BOSC member Julie Turner agreed with some parts of the proposed policy, but felt other parts of the policy was ambiguous, stating that it was “not ready for primetime.” She asked that the proposal return to the BOSC Committee on Policy to receive more feedback from staff members.
“I have a real problem in this seat when we pass a policy that is not ready and then we deal with the fallout of not following through,” said Turner.
Argeropoulos felt such a move was unnecessary, stating that the first paragraph of the policy would provide the superintendent with enough latitude to enforce professional attire among the staff.
O’Connell agreed, noting the relative lack of restrictions in Concord and Nashua while also stating all teachers he has spoken with said that a restrictive policy is not necessary. He also noted that much has changed in 14 years and an update was needed.
The proposed policy passed in its amended form through a non-unanimous voice vote.