Policy FK - School Student Uniforms
Policy FK - School Student Uniforms (PDF)
Issue Date: September 18, 2019
Updated: March 27, 2024
School student uniform policies authorized
School principals may, as set out in this policy, require students enrolled at a school to wear a designated school uniform during the school day. “Principal" includes the chief administrator of a school that does not have a principal. “School Uniform” means special clothing items or shoes that meet specific requirements (including a specific color, style, fabric, or imprint) that students are required to provide and which are worn for a curricular activity. “A curricular activity” is an activity, course, or program which is provided, sponsored, or supported by the District or school and which is only conducted during school hours.It does not include “school activity clothing,” which is special shoes or items of clothing which are worn for co-curricular or extracurricular activities.
Utah Code § 53G-7-501(2), (8), (9) (2019)
School uniform policy
The school uniform policy may not include very expensive or prescriptive clothing requirements unless the school uniform requirements are to be considered a fee. (In that case, the school uniform requirements would need to be approved as a fee under Policy FI.) In addition, the policy shall:
1. Protect students’ free exercise of religious beliefs;
2. Specify whether the uniform policy is voluntary or mandatory for students;
3. Specify whether the uniform policy has an opt-out provision in addition to principal-approved exemptions for extenuating circumstances;
4. Include a provision for financial assistance to families who cannot afford to purchase a required uniform, which may include:
a. The school providing school uniforms to students;
b. The school making used school uniforms available to students; or
c. Other programs to make school uniforms available to economically disadvantaged students.
A school uniform policy is not considered a fee for either an elementary or a secondary school unless the policy requires clothing that is expensive or prescriptive.
Utah Code § 53G-7-501(2), (8), (9) (2019)
Utah Code § 53G-7-801(9) (2023)
Utah Code § 53G-7-802(2), (3), (4), (5) (2019)
Parent-initiated uniform policy
Parents of students attending a school may petition the principal to initiate, modify, or discontinue a uniform policy for that school. Upon receipt of such a petition signed by parents of 20% of the school's students, the principal is required to submit the question to parents of students subject to the proposed policy.
District-level uniform policy
The Board of Education may implement a uniform policy for all schools in the District, or may modify or discontinue an existing uniform policy, subject to the approval of a majority of those voting at an election held to consider the question. Only parents of students subject to the proposed policy or change may vote at this election, limited to one vote per family. The Board shall establish the manner and time of this election. The Board shall also submit for approval a proposal to implement, modify or discontinue a District uniform policy upon receipt of a petition signed by the parents of 20% of the District's students.
Public hearing
Prior to formally adopting, modifying, or discontinuing a school uniform policy, the principal or Board of Education shall hold a public hearing on the matter.
Utah Code § 53G-7-803(2) (2019)
Parent approval required to implement, modify, or discontinue
Before any school or district-wide uniform policy may be initiated, modified, or discontinued, that action must be approved by a majority of those voting at an election held for that purpose. Only parents of students subject to the proposed policy or change may vote at this election, limited to one vote per family. The principal or Board shall establish the manner and time of this election.
Utah Code § 53G-7-803(2) (2019)
Limitation on vote to discontinue uniform policy
A vote to discontinue an adopted uniform policy may not take place during the first year of the policy's operation.
Utah Code § 53G-7-803(4)(b) (2019)
Exemption from uniform policy
A school uniform policy shall include a provision which authorizes the principal, in his or her discretion, to grant individual students an exemption from complying with the uniform policy because of extenuating circumstances. Students shall utilize the procedures outlined in policy FGE: Student Complaints, if they desire a review of a denial of a requested exemption from the uniform policy or a related complaint.