ELKHART — School leaders in Elkhart are considering changes to their dress code. Hundreds of parents are getting a survey in the mail to help decide the matter.

The Memorial High School marching band is tuning up for the start of another school year, and Elkhart school officials are looking at some fine tuning of their own — specifically, the dress code for high school and middle school students.

“Our rationale behind it is that our principals are currently spending quite a bit of time dealing with dress code violations, and the feeling is that if we have a more uniform dress code the students would look the same and the principals wouldn't be spending so much time dealing with these violations,” explained Jodie Shaw of the Elkhart School System.

Several parents believe some changes are needed.

"I think we should modify the dress code for the school and probably look into having uniforms,” said parent Debra Hines.

"A modification? Yes,” agreed parent Floyd Mehreg. “I've seen many girls that just don't dress appropriately for school."

“Boys should not be wearing droopy pants and the girls should have their shoulders and their mid-sections covered,” said parent Michelle Portillo.

The Memorial High School students WSBT spoke with have differing opinions on whether a modification of the dress code is necessary.

“I feel that the dress code right now is not very tough but it’s also tough enough to where there's not really that many problems,” said Taylor Jacks, a senior at Memorial.

“I think it’s OK for right now,” agreed Jasmey Sereal, also a senior.

If the majority of the parents surveyed want changes to the dress code, the school system will then ask people for input. Any changes would not take effect until the fall of 2009.