New London - Members of the school board's Policy Committee reviewed the high school's dress code Tuesday night, but did not make any changes.

Instead, the committee and school administrators discussed ways to make sure staff are consistent when confronting students about clothing choices.

"We need it to be 100 percent adult involvement," Dean of Students Lawrence Washington said. "We can't have a handful of staff confronting this and then another half not. That's a problem. With 100 percent adult participation with this, we can make it a lot better."

Washington said that the school does encourage staff - through memos, professional development days and discussions - to address dress code violations.

Enforcing a dress code is a contract issue, which could be up for discussion when the contract is opened for negotiations later this year, according to Superintendent of Schools Nicholas A. Fischer.

Policy Committee Chairman Jason Catala said before Tuesday's meeting that he was looking to tighten the dress code at the high school and possibly implement a policy similar to those at the middle and elementary schools.

"I'd like to see a ban on the extremely tight clothes, just something that can get rid of the negative dress that I've been seeing at the high school," he said.

He said he believes students would be more comfortable, both physically and emotionally, in a unified form of dress. A uniform policy would take the focus off a student's wardrobe and refocus it to their work, he said.

The committee voted against adding a ban on extremely tight clothes to what already is prohibited, including low-riding pants or skirts, shoes with wheels, and "clothing, jewelry, or any other markings that may be identified as gang-related."

According to the high school dress code, nothing unsafe or unhealthy may be worn. All hairstyles must be neat and clean and meet safety regulations. Clothing must be appropriately sized; and pajamas, loungewear, mini skirts and mini shorts are forbidden. No visible bra straps or visible boxer shorts are allowed.

j.hanckel@theday.com