Woodland mom wants teachers to dress for success

A parent who believes some teachers aren't projecting a proper image by wearing flip-flops or other casual wear on the job has prodded officials into re-examining the employee dress code at Woodland Elementary District 50.

Mary Patton said allowing sloppily dressed faculty and other employees at Gurnee-based District 50 may give the impression they are underqualified or the schools are poorly financed. She said instructors should set a good example for students and show pride in the profession through proper attire.

Patton, 39, who has three children at Woodland schools, said she's noticed what she considers to be a lack of professionally dressed teachers for a while. She said she decided to raise the issue after seeing some of them in flip-flops, tank tops and shorts on a hot day early in the academic year.

She said the weather wasn't an excuse for the casual clothing and footwear.

“The flip-flop thing got me the most,” said Patton, a master gerontologist. “This isn't your backyard. This isn't the beach.”

At a meeting Tuesday night, District 50 board members received a letter with Patton's concerns and her suggestion that a clear dress-code policy be enacted for all employees. Board President Lawrence Gregorash said administrators have been directed to review the dress rules and potential changes with employee representatives.

Gregorash said one problem may be the current employee handbook requiring professional attire is more about what's excluded than what should be worn on the job.

Patton said slacks, a blouse, possibly a jacket and dress shoes should be expected of women working at District 50. Men in the classroom or office should wear a collared shirt, dress pants and shoes, with uniforms appropriate for certain jobs, she said.

“Faculty should make it their priority to represent themselves, the students and the community to the full potential of their roles, as well as of their education, their professionalism and their paychecks,” Patton wrote in a letter to the Woodland board.

As an extension of the issue Patton raised, Gregorash said, elected officials plan to review what should be considered proper attire during their official duties. He said while he believes board members look professional at meetings, the issue is worth discussing.

“You can't tell someone to do it unless you're doing it yourself,” Gregorash said Wednesday.

Libertyville village board members are known for being sticklers for business attire at meetings, as men wear a dress shirt and a suit or sport coat. The same holds true for committee meetings, though the ties aren't as much in evidence.

“It is not a written rule, but I think dressing appropriately is a sign of respect for the people you're in front of,” said Libertyville Mayor Terry Weppler. “I think it presents a much better image to the public.”