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Monday's Lansing Board Of Education meeting was dominated by a discussion of changes to the proposed Code Of Conduct , and especially the dress code as it pertains to athletics.  The high school library was packed with students and about a dozen students and parents spoke, prompting the board to expand the time normally allotted for public input.  Most spoke against the rule against boys and girls removing shirts in Physical Education class or athletic practices.

"We're not trying to be provocative in terms of sports bras or taking off our shirts at practice," said varsity cross country runner Luke Davis.  "We're just hot.  It's a matter of discomfort."

The new clause in the code that was most challenged reads, "7. Regarding Athletics and Extracurricular Activities - The school dress code will be enforced throughout the sports seasons and pertain to each team, extracurricular activity, and club. It will be allowable for student athletes to wear game or competition style clothing during practice. Otherwise the dress code is in full effect i.e. girls need to adhere to covering sports bras and bare midriff shall, and boys need to adhere to shirts being on, and shorts/pants being pulled up so undergarments are not showing."

"For me and a lot of my teammates it's not so much an issue of respect as a matter of comfort," argued varsity soccer player Lydia Warkington .  "We're not trying to show off.  We're not trying to be scandalous.  We're just hot.  We're just being athletes."

Others challenged the idea that keeping shirts on is a matter of respect for students for themselves and by others, saying that it would be more respectful to trust students to make choices. 

Another argument against the restrictions was that the policy is more restrictive than community standards.  Joe Woelfel, who has four children who are or have been at Lansing schools, argued that Lansing is part of a lake resort community where shorts and tight bathing suits are part of everyday life here, accepted as part of the community standard, and that school standards should align with community standards.  Diane Nangeroni, whose two daughters are in school in Lansing,argued that sports bras for girls are acceptable.

"Sports bras are becoming a very acceptable form of attire to wear during physical activity," she said.  "It is becoming the norm, and is already the norm in certain athletic circles, just as bathing suits have changed over the years.  Now the very thin body-tight bathing suit is seen as the norm."


Board members Anne Drake and Aziza Benson were asked to clarify their positions in favor of the policy.  Drake said that it is a matter of respect for students, and of consideration for students who might be overweight or have some deformity that would be embarrassed to remove their shirt in a 'shirts and skins' game.  Benson concurred, saying that she had never been part of a school system that didn't enforce dress standards.

"I understand students' outrage about it, and I'm glad to see you and hear from you," she said.  "But it is a matter of respect, protection, and stress management.  If you're practicing and you're too hot we have to look at how we're practicing and what we're doing.  Some uniforms that we have dictate that you wear skin tight or short items.  At the same time there is no need to run around without a shirt on during school time."

Benson and Board member Glenn Cobb noted that in their adult lives they have been bound by dress codes, Benson in the military, and Cobb at work in Ithaca.  Benson said that taking your shirt off is not a recommended way of dealing with overheating.  Cobb also argued that athletes should practice how they play, wearing the uniform they will be wearing during competitions.

Robin Presthus, a senior, challenged 'practice how we play,' saying students don't study for tests in a quiet room, or practice instruments on the middle school stage in black and white attire to get ready for a concert.  He also challenged the choice of things the policy seeks to regulate.

"If we're not going to regulate everything we should regulate certain things," he said.  "If we're not going to regulate backpacks why are we regulating hats?  It should be an all or nothing thing.  It would be horrible to not have backpacks, but why are we picking and choosing what we think is good for our school when it's all in one legislation?"

Woelfel and former school board member Christine Iacobucci argued that the new policy may be illegal, citing court rulings and New York State law that prevents school boards from setting dress code standards based on taste.


High School Principal Eric Hartz explained why the policy is being reviewed, and that representative stakeholders, including students were consulted.

"A committee was formed, that is the same committee that is looking at academic, athletic, and extra-curricular policies.  On that committee were roughly ten adults, a mixture of community members, coaches, the athletic director, myself, and a variety of people.  Not being satisfied with that I got a group of students together last Wednesday or Thursday to look at two different things.  I wanted students to look at the code and the dress code, as well as the academic, athletic, and extra-curricular policies.  There was a variety of students.  They were asked about this and we explained why we were looking at it for safety purposes.  Why wait for something to happen at Lansing?"

Hartz said that in the short time he has been Principal here he has received several calls from concerned adults, including a state trooper.

"He called me and asked, 'How can you let your kids run and be exposed to the point that you're exposing them on 34B?'  This is why we've been looking at this.  It's about safety, guys.  I'm not here to beat you down.  We're not here to try to make something harsh.  I understand that you have choices in this world.  But you have to understand that there is a code of conduct that we need to be following."

Hartz concluded, "When you show respect and you have respect and things are neat and clean, believe it or not the drug stuff gets cleaned up.  Because kids take an ownership in their school. When you invest in your school, when you care about where you are, the way you look, what you wear, and how you take care of your place, what comes with it is a clean, safe environment for kids.  That's what we're trying to do."

Arial Doan was the only student who defended the new rules.  "I am for the dress code," she said.  "I can see everybody playing on the field in English class.  I see people without their shirts on.  It's distracting.  I understand you are hot but it's not polite to have everybody see you without your shirts on."

Many of the board members commended the students for having the courage to speak up for their convictions.  While approval of the code of conduct was slated for Monday's meeting, the board tabled it to allow time to consult the school district's attorney and to get more feedback, pro or con, from the community.  Cobb urged students , parents, and other community members to contact school board members with their opinions.

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