Series 4000: District Employment

Employee attire conveys an important image to students and the community. Employees must maintain professional dress and appearance, including appropriate hygiene, cleanliness, and grooming.

Employees must, at a minimum, dress in accordance with the student dress code.

A. Administrators, Professionals, Paraprofessionals, and Office Employees

Administrators, professionals, paraprofessionals, and office employees must dress in business casual attire except as otherwise appropriate to their individual assignments. Attire must not distract other employees or students from the learning environment or pose a safety risk. Employees shall not dress in a manner that expresses partisan or political speech unless expressly permitted by law, a collective bargaining agreement, or approved in writing by a building administrator.

The building administrator may temporarily suspend all or a portion of the dress code when other factors support a lower dress expectation for employees (e.g., designated “casual days” or “spirit days”).

B. Food Service, Custodial, Maintenance, Mechanic, and Transportation Employees

Subject to any applicable collective bargaining agreement, food service, custodial, maintenance, mechanic, and transportation employees must dress in attire appropriate to the work the employee is performing and will not pose a safety risk to the employee or others.

Closed-toe shoes are required. Steel-toed shoes may be required for custodians, maintenance, and mechanics. The District reserves the right to require uniform clothing as may be appropriate.

C. Enforcement

The Superintendent or designee has the discretion to make determinations about appropriate staff dress and appearance. Any violation of this Policy may result in discipline, including discharge.

Legal authority: MCL 380.11a(3), 380.601a

Date adopted: 08/09/2021

Date revised: 06/19/2023