By Melissa Dunson

mdunson@joplinglobe.com

Joplin R-8 Board of Education members Tuesday night gave administrators the OK to change wording in the district’s employment policy to not allow any part of a tattoo to show.

The policy previously instructed teachers to wear clothing that “minimizes” tattoos, but it did not prohibit part or all of the tattoo from showing.

The board also wants to make that policy apply to all district employees, not just teachers.

Superintendent C.J. Huff said he brought the issue to the board because someone had raised concerns about teachers with tattoos. The board members appeared to be in unanimous agreement about tattoos not being appropriate in a professional and, specifically, a classroom setting.

“Until business and industry says that we want to hire people with tattoos, I don’t think it’s anything out of order,” Huff said of changing the policy. “It’s how we need to do business.”

Board member Ashley Micklethwaite said more specific wording in the policy will prevent school officials from having to make individual interpretations of what is appropriate in subject matter, size and coverage of tattoos. Newly hired employees will get a copy of the policy at orientation, and will have to sign a form acknowledging that they received the document and are aware of the policy.

Board member Jeff Flowers said the issue comes down to what is acceptable within the community.

“There’s a stigma associated with (tattoos), and it’s not a good stigma,” Flowers said.

Joplin resident Maurice Filson encouraged the board to adopt a policy that requires teachers to cover their tattoos. He said refusing to do so would be a statement that might speak louder than the body art itself.

“You already know the problems our children are facing, so for the sake of our kids, I hope this can be properly addressed,” Filson said.

Huff said that once the policy is official, he will notify the universities from which the Joplin district recruits most often, including Missouri Southern State University in Joplin and Pittsburg (Kan.) State University.

“This is a trendy thing for people to get tattoos, but we’re asking people who are going into the teaching field to ask themselves how big and where they want to put those tattoos,” Huff said.

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