Battle over school dress code goes viral
Keeping it Real: Mom accuses school of targeting her daughter
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MICHIGAN MOM BATTLING SCHOOL DISTRICT OVER DRESS CODE:
TAWAS, Mich. – A mother in Tawas, Michigan is speaking out after her 10-year-old daughter was repeatedly disciplined for alleged dress code violations despite following the school's official guidelines. Katie Lynn Smith, a concerned parent, says her daughter has been singled out by school staff for months, leading to anxiety, embarrassment, and stress.
Read full statement from school superintendent further down in article.
Smith first noticed the issue in October when her daughter was told to change clothes at school for violating the dress code. The most recent incident occurred when the school claimed her daughter's T-shirt was too short in the front, despite being nearly identical in length to the alternative shirt the school provided. Smith, frustrated by what she sees as unfair enforcement, measured the two shirts side by side and found less than a half-inch difference in length.
“My daughter is fully covered. The rules state that her pelvis and butt must be covered, and you can see in the pictures that they are,” Smith said.
The school requires students who violate the dress code to change into donated clothing from a room called "Anna’s Closet." Smith’s daughter was forced to swap her T-shirt for a long-sleeve shirt, which was nearly the same length.
“She checks with me five or six times before leaving for school to make sure her outfit is okay, yet she’s still being called out,” Smith said.
Smith’s son witnessed his sister returning from the school office in tears and encouraged her to call their mother.
“He saw her crying and told her, ‘You need to call Mom.’ He was mad because he knew it wasn’t fair,” Smith recounted.
Smith believes her daughter is being targeted, possibly due to her vocal stance on the dress code policy. She has attended school board meetings, spoken with administrators, and advocated for a fair dress code, but claims the issue persists.
“When I go to the office, I see other students walking around in outfits that clearly violate the dress code, yet my daughter is the one being singled out,” she said.
Smith’s frustration escalated when a school board member publicly commented on her social media post about the issue. She reached out to him directly and was shocked by his response.
“He yelled at me and said, ‘Her lady bits are covered. Put a shirt that covers her crotch.’ That’s completely inappropriate,” she said.
Smith is set to meet with the superintendent, principal, and other school officials to discuss the matter, but she’s skeptical about meaningful change.
“My daughter deserves a safe learning environment without being harassed by the administration,” she said.
As the controversy gains traction, other parents are sharing similar experiences, highlighting a broader issue within the district.
“This isn’t just about dress code—it’s about fair treatment and accountability,” Smith said.
She hopes her advocacy will spark change, ensuring that no student has to endure the same experience.
The school district released the following statement:
Thank you for reaching out regarding this matter. Tawas Area Schools remains committed to maintaining a positive and respectful learning environment for all students. While I cannot discuss specific student matters due to student privacy laws (FERPA), I can confirm that we have policies in place to ensure consistency and fairness in enforcing the dress code.
We are aware of the concerns that have been raised and are actively working to address them through open communication with those involved. Our priority is to foster a collaborative approach where concerns can be resolved in a productive manner. We encourage open, respectful dialogue through appropriate channels to ensure all concerns are addressed constructively.
Additionally, while members of the Board of Education are elected officials and do not oversee daily school operations or student disciplinary matters, the Board strongly emphasizes that the actions of one individual do not represent the Board as a whole. The Board holds its members to high ethical and professional standards, and conduct that does not align with these expectations is not condoned. This situation does not reflect the collective values of the Tawas Area Schools Board of Education. The individual in question has been made aware of the concerns regarding their actions and has acknowledged the impact this has had on the Board's reputation. Moving forward, the Board remains committed to upholding the integrity and professionalism expected of its members.
Mrs. Sarah Danek, Superintendent Tawas Public Schools.
I don’t believe a word from there precious school board. This child is being bullied and singled out!
This is beyond wrong. No 10-yr-old should be targeted like this. They are mad because mom is questioning the dress code and now other parents are too. As long as her body is covered it should not matter how long the t-shirt is. I grew up in a time of mini skirts, hot pants, and sizzle skirts. Yes, I wore all three. My body was covered, and there was not a thing they could do about it. No one cared about my crotch. They were more worried about the length of my skirt. We are talking about a little girl in the 5th grade. No one should be looking at her crotch. If they are, they should not be in a classroom. Or a school for that matter. Tawas Schools are WRONG!!!!