Downey Unified considering gender neutral dress code policy

DOWNEY — The Downey Unified School District will form a committee to research updating its dress code to reflect current day social issues surrounding gender identity.

As it stands now, the district’s current dress code for staff and students is fairly specific, identifying protocols for both male and female clothing.

Board member Nancy Swenson initiated the conversation, suggesting that the code’s language should be updated to not be “gender specific.”

Due to the policy’s broad and sensitive nature, Board member D Mark Morris suggested that a committee be created to explore the issue and come back with a recommendation.

“We could be sitting here and do it and get down in the weeds, and it’s still not covered, what we think is good and what isn’t,” said Morris. “It could be putting the district in a place where we can’t defend it.”

The dress code was last updated in 1994.