NORTHFIELD CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION FILE CODE: 4119.26/4219.26
Northfield, New Jersey Monitored
Mandated
Policy X Other Reasons
STAFF DRESS
The Northfield City Board of Education expects all staff members to be neatly groomed and dressed in clothing suitable for the subject of instruction, the work being performed, or the occasion.
The board further believes that the appearance and dress of staff members contributes to the educational environment of this school district. The attitude of teaching staff members about their professional responsibilities and the importance of education in the lives of their pupils is reflected in their dress and appearance. Accordingly, in order to create an atmosphere of respect for teachers and staff, an environment conducive to discipline and learning, the board establishes the following rules for the dress of teaching staff members in the performance of their professional duties:
- The clothing and appearance of all teaching staff members must be clean, neat and intact.
- No clothing can be worn that constitutes a danger to health or safety to the wearer or to others, and no clothing can be worn that interferes with the instructional program. Clothing cannot display profanity or other content inappropriate for school (as determined by the administration) or cause excessive wear or damage to school property. For safety concerns, flip flops and backless shoes cannot be worn.
- A teaching staff member may request a waiver of this dress code for the performance of particular duties such as field trips, field days, and “dress down days.” Such waivers may be granted by the Superintendent or his/her designee.
- The building principal or the teaching staff member’s supervisor, as appropriate, shall determine whether a violation of this dress code has occurred and shall discuss the violation with the teaching staff member concerned.
NJSBA Review/Update: August 2010; December 2010
Adopted: October 24, 2011
Revised: September 24, 2012; November 2017, April 2024
Key Words
Employee Dress
Legal References: N.J.S.A. 18A:6-10 Dismissal and reduction in compensation of persons under tenure in public school system
N.J.S.A. 18A:11-1 General mandatory powers and duties
N.J.S.A. 18A:27-4 Power of boards of education to make rules governing employment of teacher, etc.,
N.J.S.A. 18A:54-20 Powers of board (county vocational schools)
Hicks v. Pemberton Bd. of Ed., 1975 S.L.D. 332
Quiroli v. Linwood Bd. of Ed., 1974 S.L.D. 1035
Carlstadt Teachers Ass’n v. Carlstadt Bd. of Ed., App. Div., unreported decision (docket no. A-1469-80-T4, decided March 26, 1982), 1982 S.L.D. 1448
Possible
Cross References: 4117.50 Standards for staff discipline
4119.2 Responsibilities
*4119.21 Conflict of interest
*4119.23 Employee substance abuse
4119.24 Staff/student relations
*4138 Nonschool employment
*4138.2 Private tutoring
*6144 Controversial issues
*Indicates policy is included in the Critical Policy Reference Manual.