Students at Lennard High School, East Bay High School and Apollo Beach K-8 can wear leggings on the first day of school Aug. 10, after the Hillsborough County School Board voted Aug. 4 to scrap the restriction that sparked a petition with nearly 3,000 signatures.
The board reversed a rule adopted July 14 that prohibited students from wearing leggings or spandex unless covered by clothing extending to at least mid-thigh, according to Bay News 9. Under the reversal, students return to the previous dress code, which allows leggings without a long shirt or sweatshirt over them.
Parent Petition and Board Debate Drove the Reversal
Ruskin-area father Oleg Martens launched the Change.org petition that drove the reversal. At the board's July 28 meeting, Martens told members he couldn't understand or agree with the restriction, arguing it unfairly targets young women in a state where leggings are a practical choice against heat and humidity.
Board member Jessica Vaughn made the motion at the July 28 meeting to bring the policy back for amendment, saying, "After reading and speaking to so many families about that, I do agree with the emails that we got … that tends to be discriminatory towards women."
The July 28 vote to reconsider was unanimous. Florida law required public notice before the board could formally amend the already-adopted policy, setting up Tuesday's final vote.
Vice Chair Nadia Combs had pushed for a quick resolution, telling colleagues on July 28 that enforcement would be "a big problem that we're leaving to the schools," according to WFLA. Chief of Schools Dr. Rick Grayes noted at that same meeting that the original restriction came from input by a group of middle and high school students the district consulted.
Rest of the Dress Code Overhaul Remains in Place
The leggings rule is the only piece of the July 14 dress code overhaul that the board reversed. The remaining changes still apply when school opens Aug. 10:
- Pajamas are banned on campus.
- Shorts, skirts and dresses must reach at least mid-thigh.
- Face and head coverings are restricted except for religious or approved medical reasons.
- Spiked jewelry is prohibited.
Parent Morgan Thomas, who has a seventh grader and a 10th grader, told the board July 28 that the leggings requirement was "overreaching and stifling," arguing students already face tight restrictions on shorts lengths and turned to leggings as a practical alternative in Florida's heat.
Families still have time to shop during Florida's Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, which runs through Aug. 20. The first day of classes across Hillsborough County is Aug. 10.
