If the draft policy for student dress and grooming in Northampton Area School District was being paraded on a fashion runway, the reviews so far would be mixed to decidedly negative.

The detailed eight-page draft, available to download on the NASD website, proposes new rules for students in kindergarten through 12th grade for the 2013-14 school year.

For example, for boys, shirts must have a turn-down collar and must be in solid colors of navy, tan, black, orange or white.

Skirts for girls, for example, must reach the top of the kneecap.

A total of 10 parents and one student spoke at the Feb. 25 school board meeting. Most said they opposed the new dress code during a discussion that lasted approximately one hour of a nearly three-hour board meeting.

"I'm against the dress code as written," said Cher Wisner. "I don't know of any parents who are for it as written. I don't know why this keeps coming up."

"I think it's [dress code] a waste of time," said Sarah Berner. "Why not hold the parents accountable? Has anybody questioned the students? My first-grader is appalled. And then you restrict the color. What's wrong with red? Look around this room. How many of you would fit this dress code?"

Referring to school board President David Gogel, she said, "Your shirt isn't buttoned all the way up."

"I am looking for data," said Susie A. Dettmer. "There is more data that it [dress code] doesn't help academics."

"I don't think a uniform is going to motivate my child," said Natalie Resh. "I really don't understand it. Is this going to be a good thing for the majority?"

"Each school has its own color. We take great pride in our Moore Township red and black," said Stacy Frey. "By not allowing some of the colors, I don't think that's fair. Enforce the current policy."

"Do we want to send students home because they're wearing argyle socks or the wrong shoelaces?" asked Charles Longacre.

Fran Shehab offered a different view.

'I'm all for it [dress code]. I think kids can express themselves after school," Shehab said.

Zachary Zeitner said he is neither for nor against the dress code.

"I am leaning toward it. I don't see the harm in it. Uniforms are a part of life," he said.

NASD Director of Athletics Todd Bowser noted that some students are uncomfortable with tailored clothes and prefer loose-fitting clothes. Also, some students have sensory issues that might make them unable to wear certain styles of clothing.

Conducting a survey to poll parents on the proposed dress code, put forth by school Director Jennifer Miller, was debated by the board.

"I've talked to lots of parents. I would like to do some kind of survey," Miller proposed. "We don't have the data to corroborate what we're trying to do here.

"I am still on the fence," Miller said as to whether she would support a new dress code.

"As a parent, I've been inundated with opinions," said Miller. "I can't even go anywhere. I need witness protection."

School board Vice President Jane Erdo is concerned that even the 6:30 p.m. March 25 board meeting, moved to the Northampton Area High School auditorium to accommodate an anticipated large turnout to discuss the proposed dress code, might not be representative.

"People who are in the minority will come out," Erdo said.

Concerning the proposed policy, Erdo said, "I don't think it's been thought out to all the ramifications."

Board member Dr. Michael Baird disagreed with the survey proposal.

"We don't take surveys for everything that comes before the board. We can't abdicate our responsibilities," he said. "You go from one end of Redner's to the other and you get, six, seven opinions and by the time you get to the checkout, you can't remember."

Baird called a dress code survey taken in the Bangor Area School District, when he was on the school board there, "a disaster."

"No matter what you do as a survey, you're only going to have a minimal number of people," said board member Jean Rundle.

"No one is against the dress code," Rundle said.

"Jean, you and I run into a totally different group of people," Miller said.

"I would like to make the decision, whatever it is, before we move into the middle school," said board member Judy Odenwelder.

NASD Superintendent Joseph Kovalchik said there seems to be no research that correlates a cause and effect for dress codes with respect to a student's academic performance.

According to Kovalchik, 57 percent of public schools have a dress code and 20 percent of public schools require uniforms.

Noted Erdo, "This is a policy committee recommendation. It's not a done deal. It's not a board decision."

A copy of the draft policy is available at the top right side of the NASD website. Click on the listing. When the dress code policy page appears, a copy can be printed.