Marion School Committee members think it’s time for a stricter dress code in the district after fashion-focused bullying and complaints from parents have brought the issue to their attention.

During their last meeting on Nov. 2, Winters asked the committee to bring the issue up for public discussion by circulating a survey issued by the School Council and the Parent Teacher Organization. The survey will be distributed among school staff members, parents, as well as the rest of the community.

According to committee member Michelle Ouellette, some parents are saying students are being bullied over bullying over which labels the kids can and cannot afford.

“From what I’ve heard it’s about the 'have’s' and the 'have not’s,'" Ouellette said. "There has been bullying with some kids not being able to fit in. Some children have been coming home crying. Hopefully this will take away some of the tension from fashion.”

Although the schools currently has a dress code, Board member Christine Winters said parents feel it could be more strictly enforced. She added that no one is pushing for uniforms, but rather a more professional look.

So far khaki pants, collared shirts have been discussed as appropriate attire. Also: no jeans.

Winters said the issue was something to pass along to the committee so that the discussion can be held in the appropriate forum, which would be the School Council and the Parent Teacher Organization.

“There was enough consensus for a discussion to be held,” Winters said. “Our job as committee members is to help facilitate, not to dictate. We are directing folks to the right path where they can feel like it has been addressed.”

Superintendent Douglas White said no immediate plans have been made.

“We need more information on the subject as far as it is now," White said. "We have taken the issue to the School Council, which is the next possible step for us to hold a discussion on the matter.”

Winters, who has a daughter in the fifth grade, said she and her husband try to instill in their daughter an attitude that differentiates between play clothes and school clothes.

This gap, she said, can put the kids into a different mindset where they will be more serious about their work in school.

The survey is currently being circulated throughout the community. Winters said she expects an update around the time of the Jan. 4 committee meeting, though she added the research into the issue might take longer.