- April 24, 2024
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The Volusia County School Board has not made the final vote, but unless there is a dramatic shift in opinions, student uniforms will be required for all grades when students arrive at schools next fall. The board approved a policy on Dec. 8, and will formally adopt it in two readings. The votes will likely be at meetings on Jan. 12 and 26, but agenda items can be delayed. Changes to the policy could be made at the meetings.
“Do you know where they wear uniforms? Jail.”
Volusia County student on school uniforms
The issue will be something to watch, beginning when parents and students start shopping for clothes for classes that begin on Aug. 15.
The board stood fast in their desire for uniforms through two hours of often passionate arguments against the policy from students and parents at their Dec. 8 meeting.
Only Linda Cuthbert voted against the policy, saying it was “micro-management” and should be left to the schools.
After the audience remarks, Board Member Linda Costello pointed out that for every argument for uniforms, there is an argument against. For example, some people say uniforms save money because they don’t have to buy a variety of name-brand clothes for school; while others argue they have to buy another set of clothes to wear nights and weekends.
“In today’s world, safety is important.”
School Board member Bill Hill
The board members also stated they believe there is a lot of support in the community and among school teachers, and that only opponents came to the Dec. 8 meeting.
One parent at the meeting said the only polo shirts in his house were in his closet, because no one else in the family wore them. But they will part of the fashion at schools next year, along with button-up, Oxford shirts, which the School Board added at the meeting.
Color choices may make uniforms more palatable for opponents, as the shirts can be white or two colors chosen by the principal. For pants, skirts, shorts, etc., the color choices are Navy blue, black or tan. The board added also black jeans as a choice, in an apparent effort to reduce opposition.
A recurring argument through earlier meetings was that uniforms would reduce bullying, by creating a “level playing field” among students.
But speakers from the audience on Dec. 8 said bullying would continue even with a uniform policy, because people would be picked on for physical features or other reasons.
“Some uniforms will get dirty or ratty and kids will get bullied for that,” one student said.
The School Board generally agreed that uniforms would not eliminate bullying, but a reduction in bullying would be worth the effort.
Another issue to watch is how much compliance there will be among students, and how it will be enforced. It was often stated at School Board meetings last year that the reason uniforms are needed is that the dress code was not being obeyed.
Some parents have asked how uniforms could be enforced, when the dress code was not. But proponents believe that it will be easier to enforce uniforms, because the rules are very specific.
Some of the students argued that students would be taken out of class for violating the code, harming the educational process. But the proponents say while there may be a lot of discipline required in the beginning, it should be reduced over time.
One parent said the students will still wear the uniforms differently, such as wearing pants down low.
It was decided by the School Board that any discipline would be done by taking students out of class, but there would be no “out-of-school” suspensions.
The idea of individuality often arose, with many saying uniforms would stifle students from expressing themselves.
“I like to express myself,” one student said. “Do you know where they wear uniforms? Jail.”
School Board members said that students should strive to show their individuality with actions, and not clothes.
Safety is one of the reasons argued for uniforms. A school official can look out over a crowd and see who doesn’t belong. Last year, a nonstudent was able to get on a bus and take it to a school.
“In today’s world, safety is important,” said board member Bill Hill.
