Dress Code v. Uniform Standoff at School Board Meeting

Wendy Gersten, parent of a sixth grader, doubted the accuracy of the survey which showed that 2/3 of the middle school parents were in favor of the uniform. Gersten said, “I was not home at the time of the survey; it did not call me back nor did it call my cellphone. A neighbor, however, was called three times and voted each time when she only has two children in the school.”

Gersten said later that the numbers did not add up. With approximately 375 students per grade, the numbers given in the survey for Broadview do not make sense. The numbers of parents from Broadview who voted in favor by grade, were: 5th Grade: 415 for, 157 against, 6th Grade: 391 for, 175 against, 7th Grade: 356 for, 194 against. These numbers add up to 1,688 votes in a school of 1100.

Not everyone was as passionate about keeping the dress code. Rocky Shaffeeullah, father of a middle school daughter, said, “So much arguing against the uniforms; what I had heard and read doesn't make sense. When I was growing up, I had to wear a uniform. There was so much ease in the parent's faces. We knew exactly what to wear. Not in all the years did I feel it was restricting. You can ask a lot of lower and middle income parents, it was so simple to have a uniform. It's a no brainer for the kids.”

The majority of the speakers spoke strongly against the uniform and urged the Board of Education to enforce the dress code, and the Board seemed to have heard their pleas. Richard Janelli, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Education said, “We would not be doing our due diligence if we did not enforce the dress code. I feel the dress code should be a policy. I will not support this (uniform policy)  at this time.”

Board Secretary Kathleen Molinaro asked, “If this motion does not pass, would it help if we put teeth in the dress code?”

Rogers Park Middle School Principal Joaquin responded, “If you would consider making the code specific, because now it is too vague, and it would need to institute consequences.”

Most, if not all of the board members, felt that the issue needed to go back to the Policy Committee, and to do so urgently. The current dress code lacks any specific details and according to Joaquin, simply states that anything that doesn't distract from the educational environment is acceptable.

All were in agreement that the Policy Committee to determine what, if any, uniform would consist of, and if the dress code were to be enforced, what would the regulations be and how would they be enforced. Schools Superintendent Sal Pascarella, Ph.D., said that enforcement would not include suspension.

Board member Michael Fazio worried that even after going through the Policy Committee, “How much more enforceable would the dress code be?” Suggestions for the dress code made by another board member included, “Nothing more than six inches above the knee, must have sleeves, it's not that hard.”

“We all know what is appropriate,” said Gladys Cooper. “I am not comfortable mandating this right now. When we implement this, we can come back in six months or a year, but at this point, I could not go forward.”

At the end of the meeting, no decision had been reached.

Gersten was not completely comfortable with the lack of decision. “I was disappointed that it was not decided. There was not much information given to parents, and I had really hoped this would be voted on, done and over with. I am happy the uniforms didn't get voted in. I think the principals have been well intentioned but I hope they go with the dress code.”

Gertsten's 6th grade daughter, who had presented her opinion at the beginning of the meeting, challenged board members and administration to see how wearing a uniform would feel if it were them. “This will make the kids miserable,” she said.