MOORPARK : School Board Hears Dress Code Reasons

The Moorpark Board of Education was given detailed information Tuesday on dress code requirements at Moorpark High School aimed at averting potential gang problems.

Supt. Tom Duffy said the item was put on the agenda “because of comments in the press. We want to bring forth a clear understanding of what brought about the dress code.”

The dress code forbids students from wearing clothing associated with gangs at school or at any school event. That includes black, red or blue hats, hair nets, dark stocking caps or bandannas or Los Angeles Raiders football team paraphernalia.

Duffy said several incidents prompted the dress code, which has been in effect since the beginning of the semester. The first was a drive-by shooting that occurred after a football game last fall. Several students were injured by a shotgun blast from a passing car while gathered outside a local pizza restaurant.

The second incident was in February when students from the San Fernando Valley came to Moorpark High School and were arrested when weapons were found in their car.

High school Principal Cary Dritz said he has received calls from parents who support the school’s new policy.

“The implementation of the dress code has been effective. Not one single parent has complained, and we have not had one single disciplinary action,” he said.