Many parents become deeply concerned when schools change their policies, especially when new rules directly affect their children. This was precisely the case for an Arizona father, who became outraged after learning about a proposed change to the school dress code. Determined to make his voice heard, he took an unusual and bold approach to express his disapproval.
In Gilbert, Arizona, a routine school board meeting turned into an unexpected spectacle when a father, Ira Latham, made a dramatic statement. To demonstrate his point, Latham arrived dressed formally but soon revealed an outfit designed to challenge the proposed dress code changes. Underneath his regular attire, he wore a crop top and short shorts, a choice he claimed would be permissible under the new policy. Standing at the podium, he stated, “This would be suitable in a classroom under the new policy,” before dramatically shedding his outer clothing to reveal the outfit beneath.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a more relaxed dress code for the Higley Unified School District. The topic had been under consideration since May, and the proposed changes were well-known throughout the district. The new guidelines emphasized covering private areas and undergarments while allowing some visible waistbands or straps as long as undergarments were not worn as primary clothing. However, this marked a significant departure from the stricter dress code established in 2001, which prohibited exposing the chest, stomach, and midriff.
Latham, a father of four students in the district, strongly opposed the changes. He believed the updated policy would hinder students’ ability to focus on their studies. He expressed his concerns, saying, “As a parent, I want the district to create policies that help my kids concentrate in class and foster a safe environment while minimizing unnecessary distractions during lessons.” He argued that the new dress code failed to meet these objectives and placed an undue burden on teachers, who would now be tasked with interpreting and enforcing vague guidelines.
To underscore his point, Latham donned clothing that he argued would be acceptable under the revised rules. “Since I couldn’t think of any other way to express my concerns, I decided to show you an example,” he said before revealing his unconventional outfit. He added, “In my opinion, this is not appropriate for a board meeting. Just because the dress code allows it in a classroom doesn’t mean it creates a safe space for students.”
The meeting elicited varied reactions from the governing board members. Tiffany Schulz, the board president, was displeased with Latham’s demonstration, noting that the previous dress code disproportionately targeted female students. She emphasized the importance of fairness and asserted that teachers should prioritize education over monitoring students’ attire. “It’s not appropriate to tell people to dress a certain way just to avoid making others uncomfortable,” Schulz argued, adding that such scrutiny often made female students feel self-conscious.
Another board member, Anna Van Hoek, appeared to align more closely with Latham’s perspective. She suggested that a straightforward dress code helped prepare students for the professional world by teaching them to dress appropriately for future jobs. Van Hoek argued that a modest dress code reflected “self-respect” and contributed to students’ overall development. “If we want our kids to be ready for college and careers, they need to learn self-respect, and that includes dressing in a way that doesn’t unnecessarily showcase their bodies,” she said.
Despite his passionate objections, Latham’s arguments failed to sway the majority of the school board. The revised dress code was approved in a narrow 3-2 vote. Higley Unified School District ultimately decided to adopt the more modern guidelines, even as some parents and educators expressed concerns about the potential impact on classroom environments.
The debate in Gilbert, Arizona, is part of a larger national conversation about school dress codes. While some districts, like Higley, are moving toward more lenient policies, others are choosing stricter regulations. For instance, in Mississippi, the Madison, Rankin, and Hinds County districts have banned crop tops entirely, requiring all shirts—whether short- or long-sleeved—to fully cover students’ stomachs. Additionally, these districts prohibit pants with holes and enforce specific length requirements for skirts.
Reflecting on the broader implications, Latham criticized the new Higley policy as being overly permissive. “The dress code they’ve implemented is more like a public pool rule than an educational policy,” he told reporters. “It essentially boils down to making sure kids cover their underwear, and that’s about it.”
Supporters of the updated dress code, like Schulz, counter that such policies aim to foster inclusivity and reduce the stigma around certain types of clothing. Schulz argued that students should be allowed to express themselves without fear of judgment or discomfort. “These are just kids,” echoed another board member, Amanda Wade. “While school might be the closest thing to a job for them right now, they still deserve some freedom to explore and express themselves.”
The controversy in Gilbert highlights the challenges school districts face in balancing the needs and expectations of diverse stakeholders. For parents like Latham, a stricter dress code represents structure and focus, values he believes are essential to education. For others, like Schulz and Wade, modernizing dress codes reflects a broader commitment to equity and respect for individual choice.
Ultimately, the conversation about school dress codes extends beyond clothing. It touches on issues of identity, respect, and preparation for the future. While Higley Unified School District has made its decision, the debate is far from over. Across the country, schools continue to grapple with these questions, striving to find policies that serve their students’ best interests while addressing the concerns of parents and educators alike.
