comment: >
  
  
  No, it's really not.
  
  Yeah it really is.
  
  If you're wearing something that's sparking conflict, you stop wearing it. 
  
  Literally anything could be considered to "spark conflict".
context: OK,  I was a little confused about what happened, so I looked around:
  
  The appeals court ruling, which was filed on Dec. 29, determined that Dodge’s hat was protected speech. The panel affirmed the lower court’s ruling that the district and Gomes were not liable but allowed claims against Garrett to move forward, determining sufficient evidence exists for a jury to consider whether the principal violated the teacher’s constitutional rights.
  
  So basically,  the principal may have violated the teacher's first amendment right, but that the school district and human resources chief did not. >
  
  Wouldn't that violate the school dress code, though? At least when I was in school, we weren't allowed to wear hats inside the building unless it was some sort of religious dress. And anything with any kind of controversial messaging, including political t-shirts of any kind, were not allowed. I would think that would extend to teachers.
  So are school dress codes gone, now? Are girls finally allowed to wear tank tops? >
  
  Well,  it looks like this happened during a training session when students weren't present,  so the regular dress code may not have applied. >
  
  If there was a culture of allowing violations of a dress code, or if clothing with other political messages are allowed, then the policies can't be enforced against him. >
  
  Yeah if the teacher has pics or evidence of other teachers wearing an Obama "hope" shirt or Hilary 2016 hat, then he definately will win the case because he was singled out compared to others. >
  
  The district was allowing other political slogans and even BLM attire to be worn. >
  
  If you allow one then all must be accepted. I was in a union position in which dress code was an issue. It was so stupid in which long sleeves weren't allowed under polo company dress shirts. Well, certain departments were allowed to wear them with no recourse. I felt singled out and brought up this fact. 
  At the time, being a smart ass teen, I wore the long sleeves. Our warehouse would hit below freezing and I was constantly back and forth to the sales floor. A manager decided to send me home to get changed, during a holiday week in which I was the sole person working the department and I didn't return like he assumed I would. When questioned the next day, I simply stated I was sent home, I don't have to return and was "in violation of the dress code". So thank you for letting me know how to get a day off. I could use them since 6 days straight and overtime every week. Anyway, long sleeves were allowed shortly after. >
  
  
  If you allow one then all must be accepted. 
  
  That's a basic tenet of fairness. Sadly, some people refuse to be fair. >
  
  It was a benefit of a union. Simply stating, let's walk the store right now and everyone not in dress code needs to be reprimanded the same as me or a rep can come in and explain the situation because I feel singled out. 
  They pulled the same stunt with time clock punches, being 5 min late or a little long on breaks. It's meaningless to reprimand one or two people if you don't do it to everyone. Starts to play into I'm the only one with this infraction while everyone else gets away with it. I also loved the sign here to say you understand the write up. Like nope, I don't have representation and I don't know the meaning of what's going on.
  Just knowing your basic worker rights on a federal and state level throw back a lot of managers. Never let yourself be taken advantage of. Stand your ground on a professional and calm way so they don't have more ammo. >
  
  Schools likely have rules about political statements (including hats).
  Opening a can of worms if they started allowing anything on shirts, hats and other things. >
  
  It’s an interesting case with some interesting ramifications. Who gets to make the rules for dress codes and what confines those rules? Can students now wear shirts that say ‘Fuck the Police’ or ‘Kill the Homework-givers’? Or if they are fans of Kanye, a shirt saying ‘Jews own the world’ or something similar? It will be interesting. >
  
  
  Who gets to make the rules for dress codes and what confines those rules?
  
  I presume whatever body makes the other rules...
  Really shouldn't be hard to just have a rule saying "No clothing that will cause a disruption."  
  So if you're wearing anything to "piss people off" or "trigger the libs" yeah... no.  This is a school, not AM radio.  If you're clothing surprisingly causes a disruption, don't bring it back to school.
  If you can't use your judgment, you can't teach. >
  
  
  Really shouldn't be hard to just have a rule saying "No clothing that will cause a disruption." 
  
  That is incredibly vague. >
  
  No, it's really not.  If you're wearing something that's sparking conflict, you stop wearing it.  If this is a line you can't help but cross, you are not fit to be a teacher.  You're a professional, not a billboard. 
  Like any rule regarding behavior, judgment needs to be used, and if judgment can't be used, then no amount of policy will solve the issue.  I argue anyone unable to use judgment should be removed from professional positions.