BUENA PARK : Trustees Tighten Dress Code Rules

The Buena Park School District Board of Trustees this week unanimously approved a stricter dress code that is designed to discourage gang and drug activity and promote school safety.

“This provides a uniform code so everybody in the district gets the same kind of treatment,” Trustee Lloyd G. Davis said Tuesday night. “It’s to prevent any gang problems from originating and to keep kids safe.”

Supt. Jack Townsend said “the bottom line is, we’re trying to make our campuses as safe as possible.”

The policy, which goes into effect in September, will prohibit girls from wearing short shorts, midriff tops, off-the-shoulder tops, muscle shirts, undershirts, fishnet tops or skirts that expose their buttocks or don’t cover undergarments. Students will also not be allowed to wear baggy or oversize clothing, hanging belts, belts with initials, and hats or hair nets--clothing that could be associated with gangs. Thongs will also be banned.

If there are cases of questionable dress not covered by the new dress code, school principals or other administrators will determine whether the student’s dress is appropriate, district officials said.

Repeated violations of the new policy could result in disciplinary action, including suspension.

The district plans to mail parents a copy of the policy late this summer “so they will be able to buy the right clothing for next year,” Townsend said.