The action was at Tuesday's regular Board meeting.
In a staff report, it was noted to the Board that District teaching staff should serve as role models, and this should include professional standards of dress and grooming. Just as overall attitude and instructional competency contribute to a productive learning environment, so does appropriate dress and grooming.
School Superintendent Edward Sussman said this was not a dress code, but rather a professional dress standard, that will enable staff and teachers to better fulfill their task as role models.
Boardmember Margo Hoffer said that 99 percent of the teachers dress well now.
The staff report notes as well that employees "shall not dress or groom themselves inappropriately such that the manner of dress or grooming has an adverse effect on the district's ability to deliver professional educational services, detracts from the district's public image, tends to undermine the public confidence in the district and its educational programs, or endangers the health and safety of employees or students.
"1) All clothes must be neat, clean, not frayed, in good repair and be an appropriate size. 'Distressed' clothing, such as faded blue jeans, are not acceptable.
"2) Footwear must be worn at all times.
"3) Clothes shall conceal undergarments at all times. See-through fabrics, halter-tops, tube tops, off-the-shoulder, spaghetti straps, low-cut tops, short skirts, or bare midriffs are prohibited."
The language for classified personnel is the same, with the exception "This policy shall apply to all certificated and classified employees in the same manner unless their assignments provides for modified dress as approved by their supervisor."
The voices of the Police and Fire Chiefs (both past and present), as well as the firefighters association, two school boardmembers and two city councilmen failed to move more voters than a well-financed campaign based on slick mailers funded by the fireworks industry.
The booster clubs, Councilman Keith McCarthy and the fireworks manufacturers made a successful case to the voters linking the backyard displays to basic freedoms of expression.
The unofficial vote count Tuesday was "No" 6,171, "Yes" 5,108.
Some of the 18 clubs licensed to sell "Safe and Sane" fireworks in the City had claimed they could find no other means of raising comparable money for their charitable endeavors. This was the reason the proposed law was written to not take effect until 2003. The clubs and booster groups still opposed it, claiming it would seriously damage their programs.
The problem has become progressively worse in Downey, with many street fireworks in the hands of newcomers who mix their 4th of July with liquor-a dangerous combination-or let fireworks slip into the hands of children who do not know the basic safety rules or danger implicit in explosives.
Many backyard fireworks "mechanics" modify "Safe and Sane" fireworks to make them fly illegally, causing a problem determining what is and isn't legal.
Police and fire teams confiscated more than 300 pounds of illegal firework over the last 4th Holiday.
The "No on L" group outspent the measure's advocates by a wide margin, Most of the "No on L" money was donated by the fireworks manufacturing interests.
Meanwhile, police and firefighters who maintained that allowing "Safe and Sane" fireworks while banning other types made their job difficult, will continue to have to take time to determine what is and is not legal.
The City is considering a public patriotic display suitable for the whole family, to be offered at one of the high schools.
The dancers were followed by a presentation on Career Day by the GATE students from East Middle School, which also won the Board's approval.
During Board comment, Margo Hoffer told the Gauldin dancers that she had seen the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico dancers during a visit to Mexico City, and that members of that company would be jealous if they could see Gauldin's performance.
Boardmember Barbara Samperi congratulated Stan Hanstad and School Superintendent Edward Sussman for the success of the Community Policing Program's application to Downey schools. Fighting on campus has faded to almost nothing since the program, which places police officers in the role of guidance counselors on campus, was established.
On another topic, Samperi said she was displeased that the budget picture was still unsettled in Sacramento.
The Board's Mark Morris complimented The Downey Eagle for recent coverage. And Morris added stories in the news had led him to check police records, which show 207 sex offenders live in or around Downey. He wants their names listed on the Internet, saying their availability through the Sheriff's Station is not enough.
The Board's Don La Plante said the state budget is facing a $5 billion deficit, which will force cuts to educational programs.
Boardmember Willie Gutierrez said he was delighted with the PTA Reflections program calling it a wonderful show of student achievement.
Superintendent Edward Sussman reminded all present that the Gangs Out of Downey luncheon is Wednesday, March 27.
And he added that on April 18, Cerritos College will host a celebration by former boardmembers of the DUSD, ABC, and Norwalk-La Mirada school districts.
In other action the Board:
* Ratified and approved expenses for convention and conference attendance.
* Approved revisions to AR 3129, Evaluation of Consolidated Programs.
* Ratified agreement with Form Plastics Co., for containers and wrapping supplies to Food Services effective Feb. 21, 2002 through Feb. 20, 2007.
* Ratified the Los Angeles County Office of Education contract to reimburse administrative costs related to California Medical Assistance Program 2001-02.
* Ratified the Los Angeles County Office of Education contract whereas the district shall be reimbursed for services provided under the Regional Occupational Program Workability Project effective Sept. 1, 2001 through Aug. 31, 2002.
* Approved the Los Angeles County Office of Education contract for network Services and Support Educational Telecommunications and Technology effective July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2005.
* Authorized the advertisement for bids for improvement and repair to asphalt and concrete areas in the estimated amount of $400,000 to be funded by the general and/or Maintenance Funds.
* Approved the extensions of the 2001-2002 General Fund budget to reflect increases in income for restricted programs.
* Approved the 2001-02 transfer of funds for administrative programs.
* Approved the purchase of equipment in accordance with established purchasing policies.
* Ratified routine personnel items until subsequent action by the Board.
* Authorized the service of the teacher, as submitted, assigned to a subject area not listed on her teaching credential for the 2001-02 school year, pursuant to Title 5.
* Approved the abolishment of one vacant position of Director, Technology and Information Systems, effective March 5, 2002.
* Ratified the establishment of two new positions corresponding to Intermediate Clerical Assistant, Limited-Term, 3 1/2 hours per day, at range 115, effective Feb. 19, 2002, through June 21, 2002.
During public comment, a spokesman for the Northwest Downey Little League appealed for a reduction in the fee charged by the District for the use of the lights at Downey High School's field.
The next public meeting of the Downey Board of Education will be at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, at the Administration Center, 11627 Brookshire Ave.
Nor was any music played. And, despite the presence of so many community notables including three-fifths of the Downey City Council, headed by Mayor Meredith Perkins, no speechifying of any kind occurred. This seemed odd in a way, for, although it didn't involve the locals, it was nonetheless election eve.
But fanfare was probably the last thing on anybody's mind anyway. What the estimated crowd of more than 450 who RSVP'd (and who brought grandma and their young ones along, as one of the organizers noted) came to see and celebrate were the students' entries. These were all laid out on tables, identified according to school. The "literature" entries were mostly brief essays. There were tapes of "music" entries. Artistic photographs (for the "photography" category) were evident on every table. So were line and color sketches and art works ("visual arts").
When the winners were announced and introduced on the stage one by one, each representing the primary, intermediate, junior, and senior divisions, bulbs flashed and proud parents recorded the moment with their camcorders.
The evening's printed program had the names of the unit (Council) level winners, from which the first place winners were chosen. These were literature winners Alec Dominguez (primary) and Savanah Vilaubi (intermediate) of Rio Hondo, Eleni Christidis (junior) of East Elementary, and Ashley Johnson (senior) of Warren. The music winners were Andrew Garcia (primary) of Rio Hondo, Stephanie Zmuda (intermediate) of Maude Price and Christine Zmuda (junior) of Griffiths. The photography winners were Madison Rice (primary) of Lewis, Alyson Stoneberg (intermediate) of Rio Hondo, Steven Copell (junior) of East, and Jennifer Sutton (senior) of Warren. Visual arts winners were Megan Waite (primary) of Unsworth, Stephanie Zmuda (intermediate) of Maude Price, Natasha Dominguez (junior) of East, and Johnny Delgado (senior) of Downey High.
Alyson Stoneberg advanced to the state competition. Her entry: a digital photo of a child bent over playing with sand.
Alameda, Carpenter, Gallatin, Imperial, Lewis, Old River, Pace, Maude Price, Rio Hondo, Rio San Gabriel, Unsworth, Ward, and Spencer elementary schools, East, West, Griffiths and Sussman middle schools; and Downey, Warren and Columbus high schools were all represented, with Rio Hondo fielding the greatest number of entries (27).
What the evening's wellwishers glimpsed that night were definite signs of creativity starting to bud forth from young minds, which will someday burst forth to full flower. Perhaps this was what Dr. Sussman had in mind when he said: "This is not a bad idea at all."
One thing was certain: there was plenty of pride to go around that night-you could see it in the faces of the proud parents, the proud teachers, the proud city officials and administrators, and the proud community. They know that the kids have begun to do something good, and through their continued effort and sacrifice, that something may just stay with them throughout their lifetime.
Calderon relied on the family name of his brother Tom, who vacated the seat to run for insurance commissioner this year.
Trailing Calderon in the primary race were Chuck Fuentes of Whittier and Leonard Zuniga of Downey.
Calderon relied on the heavy support of the insurance industry, as well as trade unions, firefighters and teachers.
Fuentes relied on endorsements of Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn, Sheriff Lee Baca, City Attorney Rocky Delgado, state Senators Richard Polanco, Sheila Kuehl and Gloria Romero and U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano (for whom he is chief of staff).
The recently redrawn District is 56 percent Democrat and 28 percent Republican. Since redistricting, it includes north Downey (north of Stewart and Gray Road), Pico Rivera, Whittier, east La Mirada, East Los Angeles, Hacienda Heights, Montebello, Rowland Heights, South San Gabriel, south San Jose Hills and Industry.
He will face Republican Gladys O. Miller of South Gate, who won the right to challenge him by defeating former Bellflower Mayor Ruth Gilson in Tuesday's Republican primary.
Firebaugh was unopposed on the Democratic ticket, and bears the favorites role due to incumbency and the heavily Democratic district which was recently redrawn. The new 50th includes Downey south of Stewart and Gray Road, and portions of Bell, Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Commerce, Cudahy, Lynwood and South Gate.