- April 23, 2024
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“Please, please, please start at certain schools that want uniforms.”
Leslie LaRue, parent
It was a quiet evening in DeLand on March 29 with a drizzling rain when the Volusia County School Board gave final approval to a uniform code for all schools beginning next fall.
The board room was peaceful also, in contrast to meetings in the past six months when parents and students, sometimes with great emotion, sometimes with well-reasoned arguments, packed the chambers to argue against the policy.
There were also sporadic supporters of the uniform policy at the past meetings, and School Board members have steadfastly said they heard from many who favor the policy.
The saga began half a year ago, with board members expressing how school dress codes were not being obeyed. Uniforms were seen as being easier to enforce, because students would either be in uniform or not.
Other reasons for uniforms included putting all of the students on a “level playing field” where students from families with less monetary resources would dress the same as those from the high-end neighborhoods. This would reduce bullying and encourage students to make themselves stand out by action rather than clothes, the School Board reasoned.
Opponents said if the school can’t enforce dress code, they can’t enforce uniforms. They said uniforms will not reduce bullying because it’s usually not about clothes and uniforms take away self-expression.
“For every reason for there’s a reason against,” Board Member Linda Costello remarked at one meeting.” She said uniforms may not eliminate bullying, but if it is reduced, it would be worth the effort.
The School Board conducted an online survey of parents, students and administrators last year, but the results were discounted because anyone could vote as many times as they wished.
At the March 29 meeting, Leslie LaRue, who has three children in school, spoke on behalf of the 3 Moms, the parents who have organized community meetings to discuss school concerns.
“Please, please, please start at certain schools that want uniforms,” she said. “We have pilot programs for everything. Baby steps are the way to go.”
The only School Board member who changed her mind over the months was Linda Cuthbert, who anticipates enforcement problems.
The policy states that there will be no “out-of-school” suspensions. Enforcement would range from verbal warnings to in-school suspension.
“What do we do when a student refuses to wear a uniform?” she asked.
Superintendent Tom Russell said he has been working with administrators from other counties who have implemented uniforms. He said Volusia County School administration will be working closely with principals and the schools will be prepared.
“The first year there is a lot of conversation,” Russell said. “There’s some resistance. By midyear, most students have fallen into line.”
Cuthbert responded, “And a lot of students will be out of class.”
“Maybe,” Russell said. “It all depends how we roll this out and the conversation we have with the community. This will involve quite a bit of communication. The implementation is my responsibility.”
Cuthbert said they should start over with workshops to work out all of the details. She said they have spend months on the issue, but haven't worked out the details.
Cuthbert also pointed out there are 2,000 homeless students in Volusia County Schools, indicating they would have a problem buying uniforms.
But Board Chairwoman Ida Wright countered, relating a story of a woman who helps the homeless and is very much in favor of uniforms.
Board Member Linda Costello said they could focus on the problems or focus on the solutions.
“We can commit to succeed or commit to fail,” she said.
The board passed the uniform policy with only Cuthbert voting no.
