Andy Netzel: The lunchroom is half-full, but the din sounds like it’s packed past capacity.
Two Lincoln-West High School staffers hang at the edges to keep an eye on things, calling out to those passing in the halls to get back to class and tuck in their shirts.
A student catches assistant principal Kate Sergent’s eye. Ruben Rosado is hard to miss. He has long, bushy hair pulled back in a ponytail, but the black frizz doesn’t cover up the collar, which is a different color than the rest of the polo. It’s a violation of the strict dress code that has been implemented at all Cleveland public schools. To make matters worse, the shirt is hanging out of his pants.
“Ruben, you know that shirt doesn’t meet dress code. Now come on. I’ve got to write you up.”
“But Mrs. Sergent, all my shirts that meet code are dirty.”
Mrs. Sergent rolls her eyes. She starts writing. Ruben looks incredulous. He looks hurt.
“How many shirts have we given you?” she says, shaking her head, still writing.
A smile creeps across his face. “Like, 82.”
“And they’re all dirty?”
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