On June 12, 2007, MNPS received a summary memorandum from the Metro Legal Department concerning Standard School Attire.

As expected, the legal opinion validated SSA as a policy that a court would uphold as an “important and substantial government interest” that does not violate the rights of either students or parents.

While Legal found no Tennessee cases concerning uniform student attire (indicating the districtwide policy of Memphis City Schools – which is more restrictive than our policy – has not been challenged), the Department based its opinion on a review of school attire cases in other jurisdictions as well as a review of cases regarding Free Speech, Free Expression, Due Process and Equal Protection.  

The memo notes some minor areas of the policy which need further clarification, a task which will be easily accomplished before the policy goes to the Metro Board of Education as part of the regular 30-day notification process for policy changes. 
 

Legal Summary on Standard Attire