Proposed Flip-flop Ban in Federal Way Schools

Liz Jones
06/27/2006

What's the fuss about flip-flops in Federal Way? A vote this week by the federal way school board could ban students from wearing the lightweight footwear. KUOW's Liz Jones has more.

STUDENTS IN THE FEDERAL WAY SCHOOL DISTRICT MAY RETURN TO SCHOOL NEXT YEAR TO FIND A NEW RULE IN PLACE: NO FLIP-FLOPS. TALK OF A BAN CAME UP WHEN THE SCHOOL BOARD MET THIS MONTH TO REVIEW THE DISTRICT'S DRESS CODE POLICY. BOARD PRESIDENT EVELYN CASTELLAR SAYS SHE WAS SURPRISED AT THE MEETING WHEN HER FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS WANTED TO ADD FLIP FLOPS TO THE LIST OF BANNED ATTIRE. CASTELLAR, WHO OPPOSES THE MOVE, SAYS THE RULE WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO ENFORCE.

CASTELLAR: "They can't enforce it. We have to give policy to our principals…policies that are practical and enforceable. Right now flip-flops are what people wear, and we just can't say oh, um, we're not gonna allow flip-flops anymore. But we'll allow sandals. And then we put the burden of regulating that on the principals."

UNDER CURRENT DRESS CODE RULES, IT'S THE PRINCIPALS' JOB TO ENFORCE THE POLICY. PENALTIES FOR STUDENTS WHO VIOLATE THE RULES CAN RANGE FROM A WARNING TO POSSIBLE SUSPENSION IF A STUDENT REFUSES TO CORRECT HIS OR HER ATTIRE.

CASTELLAR SAYS SHE'S TALKED WITH SEVERAL PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS WHO ARE AGAINST THE PROPOSED FLIP-FLOP BAN. BUT SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER CHARLIE HOFF INSISTS THE PROPOSED BAN IS A SAFETY ISSUE. HE SAYS STUDENTS WHO WEAR STURDIER SHOES ARE LESS LIKELY TO GET INJURED IN CROWDED HALLWAYS. OTHER ARTICLES OF CLOTHING THAT COULD BE BANNED INCLUDE PAJAMA BOTTOMS, SLIPPERS, CROP TOPS THAT EXPOSE THE STOMACH AND UNUSUALLY LOW-RIDING PANTS. THE SCHOOL BOARD IS SCHEDULED TO VOTE ON THE DRESS CODE POLICY AT A MEETING TOMORROW NIGHT. LIZ JONES, KUOW NEWS.