- April 26, 2024
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It was a restless crowd at the Jan. 26 School Board meeting. Most were apparently opposed to school uniforms, and they were expecting to see the final approval on a uniform policy for Volusia County students.
After the public comment portion, when board members started their discussions, the crowd remained audible, applauding wildly when Linda Cuthbert opposed the policy, and laughing at other members’ comments.
“The provocative things they wear to school, not only females but males, offend me and should offend most people.”
ADDIE BOBBITT, teacher
The audience had to be cautioned twice by board Chairwoman Ida Wright to be quiet while board members were talking.
The meeting was not the final skirmish in the long battle over uniforms, however.
Board member Melody Johnson proposed adding blue jeans to the list of optional clothing. Her motion passed, and now final approval will again be considered at a future meeting. State law requires another meeting if a substantial change is made.
But with only Linda Cuthbert speaking against the policy as written, uniforms appear destined to be approved.
The first speaker from the audience, who said she had been in a teacher in Volusia County in 42 years, spoke in favor of uniforms.
“The provocative things they wear to school, not only females but males, offend me and should offend most people,” said Addie Bobbitt, of Daytona Beach.
The next 11 audience speakers spoke against the policy.
Board member Linda Costello said she appreciated the passion in the room, but her vote would reflect the hundreds of people she had heard from who supported uniforms.
Andrew Spar, president of the Volusia Teachers Organization, said at the meeting that a survey last year showed a majority of teachers supported uniforms. However, he said that with so many people against the idea, a compromise should be sought.
“Let’s revisit the issue,” he said. “If there is a school that wants uniforms, let them go ahead.”
One speaker brought up the fact that school boards in Florida that adopt a school uniform policy will receive $10 per student from the state, if it passes again this year. She said she didn’t see anything in the policy that said the money would be used for students who needed financial assistance.
The board did not revise the policy, but indicated the money would be used to help students.
“If we receive the money, it would be only right to appropriate it to students that need assistance,” said Superintendent Tom Russell.
The board will have another opportunity to adopt the policy at a future meeting. State law requires public advertising of the next public meeting 28 days beforehand.
The School Board is also grappling with a contract for teachers. In the latest negotiations, the school district offered improved dental insurance and an increased health insurance subsidy. Spokeswoman Nancy Wait said they had not received a response from the VTO.
She said the school board has offered raises, but not until next year. The school district wants to makes changes to the teacher’s health insurance plan to save money for the raises.
The teachers are seeking raises for the current year and have criticized the proposed changes to the health care package.
The VTO organized “walk-ins” the week of Jan. 25. Teachers met outside each school 10 minutes before school starts and then walk in together to show unity.
Teacher Elizabeth Albert was outside Holly Hill School on a recent morning.
“We have a variety of concerns,” she said. “Pay is a concern but this year it’s the annihilation of our health insurance.”
Wait has said the current insurance package for teachers is higher than surrounding counties.
Teachers and support staff have been “Working to the Contract” since Jan. 4 and not devoting their own time to lesson preparation, etc. Last year, more than half of the teachers participated in the “Work to Contract” in an earlier contract dispute.
