The Ogden School District has an intriguing dilemma. If it's handled right, it could help teach a valuable lesson to students.
Recently, the district decided to ban visible tattoos on staff members. According to Superintendent Noel Zabriskie, the ban is part of a larger dress code implemented after long consideration.
Ogden High School has an English teacher, Mark Johnson, who has been with the school for 15 years. Johnson, who also is a martial arts expert, is by all accounts a talented, highly qualified educator. His teaching skills are considered an asset to the school, students and the district. During his tenure, Johnson has taught with visible tattoos on his arms.
Now Johnson has to cover up his tattoos or face discipline. His request for exemption was denied. He disagrees with the policy. "Covering up, to me, is burying and keeping the stigma of tattooed people alive. The goal of education should be to open, not to shut, minds," he said, adding he may switch schools if his tattoos have to stay covered.
Dress codes in the workplace are not something new. Nor are they an undue burden for employees. In our opinion, the district has sound reasons for implementing a dress code that covers up tattoos. Employers have a right to convey a message of professionalism and high standards within the community and, in this case, to students as well. A more professional look from school staff is a wise move in a district with many students who face education obstacles related to poverty, gangs and other challenges.
Also, a visible tattoo can be an obstacle in some sectors of employment for young adults. Most employers are influenced by a professional appearance. It may not be fair that a tattoo denies someone a job, but it is a reality in today's world. Maybe things will be different in a generation; who knows?
However, we urge the district to grant a grandfather clause to Johnson and allow him to teach with his tattoos visible. New hires should adhere to the new standards. Our reason: Johnson has been a positive presence at the school for so long and serves as a reminder that different standards do not disqualify someone from achieving excellence. It's a lesson all students can benefit from. In his case, it just doesn't make sense to cover up tattoos which have been visible in the school for so long. It insinuates that Johnson has done something wrong, when in reality he's been playing by the rules as an educator.
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