Alex Howard has seen it himself: young men actually preparing to enter the gate at an area high school football game by pulling their pants down to expose their underwear and a bit of what's underneath.

Once inside, some of the young men cause problems with other spectators and simply run from security officers -- knowing there's little the officers can do.

Maybe not for long.

Howard, thankfully, is a member of the Richmond County Board of Education. And when he felt compelled to shepherd his family early out of a recent football game, he knew he'd had enough.

At Howard's urging, the school board Tuesday directed board attorney Pete Fletcher to draw up a proposed rule that would outlaw sagging, underwear-flaunting dress at all school events -- presumably for students and others alike.

Good for them. We support it unreservedly.

It must be said that when city or county governments across the country have considered similar saggy-pants ordinances, this editorial page has been foursquare against them. The reason is simple: It's unconstitutional for governments to try to tell someone how to dress on public streets.

A school district monitoring behavior and dress at school events, however, is an altogether different animal. Our school board not only has the right, but the obligation, to maintain a safe and decent environment on school grounds and at school-sponsored events.

Anyone unwilling to abide by the rules can be shown the gate. And should be.

It's likely the rule may miss the bulk of the football season, since it may not be ready for board action until next month. But it will take in the rest of the school year, and that's better than nothing.

We also appreciate the fact that the school board is supportive of this change without regard to race. Some complain that such rules discriminate against young black males. But Howard, who is white, says the saggy-pants style transcends race. Moreover, fellow board members including Barbara Pulliam and Venus Cain heartily support the proposed anti-sag rule.

This is a matter of decorum at school events. Let your school board know you support them in this overdue effort.