Lindale ISD Graduation Dress Code Sparks Legal and Community Backlash

LINDALE, Texas (TXAN 24) — As Lindale High School prepares for its May 23, 2025, graduation ceremony, controversy is mounting over the district’s strict graduation dress code.

Parents and community members are calling out the policy as financially burdensome, legally questionable, and exclusionary—raising alarms over both constitutional rights and district compliance with Texas law.

At the center of the conflict is the district’s mandated attire list, which includes dress shoes, slacks or skirts, dress shirts or blouses, socks, and ties—all required on top of a $73.50 cap and gown package from Herff Jones. The total cost could exceed $150 per student.

“It’s unconscionable that a student might miss their graduation because their family can’t afford the ‘approved’ clothes,” said one concerned parent, who requested anonymity.

Parents argue that the dress code lacks a board-approved policy, in violation of Texas Education Code § 11.151(b), which requires operational policies be adopted by the school board. “No matter how ‘traditional,’ an expectation is not a policy, procedure, or law,” the parent stated in email exchanges with Principal Jeremy Chilek, Superintendent Stan Surratt, and board president Mike Combs.

Critics argue the policy may violate the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause by disproportionately burdening low-income families, and First Amendment rights by restricting personal and cultural expression without educational justification—issues central to the precedent set in Tinker v. Des Moines (1969).

The policy’s gender-specific requirements may also run afoul of Title IX and Bostock v. Clayton County (2020), which extend protections to gender identity.

Meanwhile, poor communication with parents may breach obligations under FERPA, which mandates clear, timely information sharing.

Lindale’s Superintendent allegedly defended the policy as a “long tradition” aimed at ensuring a “classy” event. He reportedly noted that financial assistance is available but did not clarify eligibility or the application process—leaving many parents frustrated.

“Telling a student they can skip graduation if they can’t pay is not a solution—it’s discriminatory and elitist,” one community member said.

A key April 29 inquiry from a parent reportedly went unanswered until May 5, prompting further distrust.

“The district’s refusal to engage respectfully undermines our faith in its leadership,” the parent added.

Calls for transparency under Texas Education Code § 26.001, which safeguards parental rights to school information, have gone unaddressed.

Parents are urging the district to align graduation requirements with the existing, board-approved dress code used throughout the school year. “We want a ceremony that celebrates our kids’ achievements—not their ability to afford a prescribed outfit,” said one parent.

As graduation approaches, the community is demanding action that upholds both dignity and equal access for every student walking the stage.