`Iffy dresses need OK of school`

By Jennifer Hall
Herald Staff Writer

Sharon High School students who think their prom dresses could be deemed inappropriate should take them to the school's administration for approval or they risk not being allowed to attend the prom.

``It is my understanding that in fairness to all parties, the board desires the administration to examine particular gowns that may be questionable and determine their appropriateness,'' said the board's solicitor, Mark Longietti. ``Any inappropriate attire will continue to be prohibited from the prom.''

The board has been changing numerous school policies since the first of the year and in February it began looking at the dress code. The board has discussed rewording the policy to include exposing the stomach area.

``If there's a serious question over whether a gown is appropriate, then before any orders are placed the parents should communicate with Mr. (Russell) George and at least start with a description of the item of clothing,'' Longietti said.

Two parents brought their concerns to the board Monday night after one student was told her dress, which shows the midriff but not the belly button, would not be acceptable prom attire.

Marlene Porterfield said Monday she consulted the school's dress code before paying $277 for her daughter Veronica's dress, which she did not think violated the policy.

Another mother, Cynthia Yanicko, was concerned because her daughter Tory's dress featured cut-out sides, but the stomach area is covered, and she wanted to know if it was also going to be banned. She wanted an answer before she took her $320 dress out of layaway.

Formal attire is not returnable.

Longietti could not comment on any ruling on dresses of Veronia or Tory.

Board members believe that in order to judge these dresses they need to be seen on a case-by-case basis, Longietti said.

``I think if people put their heads together, they will come up with a method,'' Longietti said. ``It will take either The Winner making an exception (about allowing a dress inspection) or someone taking a picture. They are going to find a fair way.''

The board reserves the right to prohibit attire that is disruptive to the educational process and, in this case, feel a first-hand examination is necessary to determine if certain clothing would be disruptive.

``Styles change and we haven't seen these types of dresses or gowns before,'' Longietti said. ``We are trying to work out a fair solution to everyone involved. Parents should exercise the same judgment that reasonable school officials use in evaluating attire when they select or approve of clothing for their children.''

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Updated March 22, 1997
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