Uniforms Coming to a School Near You?
March 26th, 2015 by Mike Vasilinda
The Florida House of Representatives has given tentative approval this afternoon to make it easier for school districts to adopt standard uniform policies for kindergarten through eight grade. Under state law, uniforms are already allowed, but this legislation offers an encouragement.
The legislation offers a ten dollar per student incentive for districts that adopt uniforms…or as the legislature like to call it Standard student attire. State Representative Joe Geller initially hated the idea. “I though, well, that’s going to destroy creativity, enhances conformity, it can’t be a good thing.”
But then he says he heard the facts.
“And it reduces bullying, and it reduces teasing and reduces kids saying, you know, you’re not in the right clothes” says Geller.
5 districts already have uniforms…Sponsor Janet Adkins asked them to testify about the experience. “They were all saying the same thing and that is when they implemented a school uniform policy in their school,s, the climate, the culture at their schools improved. Its an issue of school safety, helps with school truancy” says Adkins.
Even the supporters of the idea worry about those students who can’t afford uniforms.
Some schools in Sarasota, which Ray Pilon represents. also require uniforms. He says cost is an issue for some.
“I think all of the things about uniforms and peer pressure are good. I just want to make sure that those who have the least can also take advantage of it, and I’m sure we’ll work that out” says Pilon.
There are nearly two million students in kindergarten through eight grade. The ten million dollar appropriation attached to the bill is enough for about half the schools to share the stipend on a first come basis.
The five counties with district wide uniforms are Alaucha, Bay, Madison, Polk, and Osceola.
Posted in State News | 
Comments Off on Uniforms Coming to a School Near You?