Cargo pants are still on the no-no-list for Franklin grade school students.

With summer vacation about half gone and back-to-school displays making their way to store shelves, parents of Franklin elementary school children might be wondering what attire is permitted as they plan for school shopping.

Under recent revisions that further relax the school's district's elementary dress code, just about anything goes - within the bounds of good taste - except cargo pants.

Changes to dress code

The most recent revisions to the policy retract the previous ban on clothing featuring logos, writing and pictures and add crew-neck shirts - including T-shirts and sweatshirts - to the line-up of acceptable school attire. Skateboard pants have been removed from the list of unacceptable items.

The policy continues to prohibit clothing items deemed "lewd, vulgar, indecent, plainly offensive or sexually suggestive," those "condoning violence, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, suicide" and those designed to "create disruption."

The list of unacceptable items also includes spandex or stirrup pants, sheer or see-through clothing, shirts that expose the midriff, chains, dog collars, and spiked bracelets and necklaces, off-the-shoulder garments, tank tops, tube tops, halter tops and sleeveless shirts, underwear or sleepwear worn as outerwear, hats, caps, headbands and bandanas (either as headwear or hanging from clothing).

The policy specifies that coats or jackets normally worn outdoors are cannot be worn during the school day.

The policy requires that clothing be "appropriately sized" and takes aim at "extra wide, extra full, extra long, baggy or sagging" pants.

It permits culottes, shorts and skirts, but they must be fingertip length or longer.

History of the policy

The first version of the current dress code was introduced three years ago as a three-year pilot program at the urging of former Central Elementary principal Lee McFerren. He argued that a uniform dress code would blur socioeconomic distinctions and would improve discipline and the learning environment.

The resultant policy allowed shirts of any solid color and black, khaki or navy pants with no more than four pockets. Older students were required to tuck in their shirts and wear belts.

The policy went into effect in 2005-06 at Central and was to be implemented the following year in the district's other elementary buildings.

Following a year of complaints from parents, however, the policy was revised in May 2006 by a committee charged with reviewing the policy.

Those revisions to the policy permitted collared shirts of any color or pattern except those containing a logo, writing or pictures. The revised policy also permitted jeans and watch pockets as exceptions to the stipulation that pants should have no more than four pockets.

While the policy revisions were approved, three board members voted against the revisions, arguing that the policy had become so watered down as to be essentially meaningless.

Lunch prices

Other changes for the coming year include new school lunch and breakfast prices.

They include $1 for breakfast, $1.75 for elementary lunches, $1.90 for middle school and high school lunches and $3.25 for adult lunches.

The price of milk will remain at 50 cents.