I.D. TAGS FALLING INTO DISFAVOR; SCHOOL TRUSTEES PIN HOPES ON UNIFORMS.

Byline: Karen Maeshiro Daily News Staff Writer

Rather than requiring students to wear photo identification badges, some high school trustees are proposing a standard dress code for all schools as a better security measure.

A uniform dress code would incorporate school colors and appropriate styles, replacing differing policies adopted at each of the district's seven schools.

``(I.D.) Tags have somewhat lost their attractiveness to me for couple reasons,'' said trustee Bill Olenick. ``I think it would be a nightmare to enforce. When you stand back and look at what we are trying to accomplish - ready identity - uniforms would do that.''

Badges that could be encrypted with information on each student were discussed last month by Antelope Valley Union High School District trustees as a way to more easily identify those who don't belong on campus.

But Olenick said it would be hard to force students to wear them. ``Does the kid have to wear it? We would be hard-pressed to force the student and sanction them,'' Olenick said. ``Do they wear it to the prom? Who would enforce it?''

Coming up with a standard district dress code is not a new idea. About three years ago, Olenick and other board members supported the idea after four schools opted against requiring uniforms and recommended instead tightening their dress codes.

Lancaster High School is the only school that requires uniforms in the school colors of red, white and blue.

By going the route of dress codes, Olenick said, the district can avoid provisions of current state law governing school uniforms that state such policies have to come from the school and parents can opt out if they choose to.

The board likely will take action on a dress code in August and it could take effect in the coming school year's second semester at the earliest, Olenick said.