School Uniforms in Baldwin County

Images

Greg Peterson

Reported by: Greg Peterson

Email: gpeterson@local15tv.com

Print Story

Published: 4/14/2011 10:02 am

Updated: 4/14/2011 10:26 am

The Baldwin County school board hasn't revised the policy manual in many years. Board president Angie Swiger tells me, it has been perhaps a decade or longer since changes have been made. The board began the process a few years ago, but a couple of big bumps in the road, namely the economy and the gulf coast oil spill put the brakes on the process.

Well now the dust has cleared, and the board is again ready to dive into the policy manual. Over the last couple years, members of the board have visited other school districts in North Carolina, Indiana, Virginia, and even the Hoover district right here in Alabama. They were on a fact finding mission to uncover ways to improve Baldwin County's system. Among those possibilities, the removal of the uniform policy.

I can tell you that at the very suggestion of the uniform policy going away, my phone has lit up. Both parents and educators have contacted me, in hopes of getting to the bottom of this. Well, as your loyal journalistic servant... I have!

Discussion will begin at tonight's school board meeting in Bay Minette at the Tharp Building. That meeting will come to order at 6:30. Public comment will be allowed. The board will discuss changes to the dress code, as well as several other policies such as attendance and cell phone use. President Swiger tells me these policies will be discussed for about a month before they are voted on.

As a personal side note, and full disclosure: my children attend Baldwin County schools. I have lived in several cities in my life, and my kids have been exposed to several school districts. I can tell you without hesitation, the education and experience they are currently receiving in Baldwin County schools is unparalleled! The educators and administrators are professional, caring individuals who don't simply do it for the paycheck. My children are receiving an amazing education. Respect is demanded in the hallways, and rules must be followed. If not, corporal punishment is an option. I can also tell you this is the first school district we have attended that requires school uniforms. I don't think it is a coincidence that the education they are receiving, and the life lessons they are learning have come with these rigid rules in place.

If you would like to e-mail the entire school board with your thoughts, click on this link:

http://www.bcbe.org/Common/Email/Email.asp?DivisionID=831&DepartmentID=0&SubDepartmentID=0&StaffID=10988

Print Story

4 Comment(s)

Comments: Show | Hide

Here are the most recent story comments.View All

The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Local 15

Studentsvoice - 4/23/2011 3:05 AM

1 Vote

Report User

I, as a student, believe that the uniform policy is overdue in its needing to be changed. In my school not one student is in favor of having to wear these uniforms. Why should we have to? Is it so that we will not be judged and bullied by our peers because of the type of clothes or brands we wear? Well if that is the reason then it is useless. Uniform policy allows any brand or type of closed toe shoe to be worn and also allows a brand symbol to be displayed on clothing as long as it is smaller than a quarter. So if bullying was indeed the reason for policy, well then we see that with or without uniforms kids will always find something to bully each other over. Maybe the uniforms are for unity, to show that we are part of something conformed. Well if that is the reason it is also useless. There are so many acceptable combination's of the uniform that one could not even count. From brand names to undershirts to pants, shorts, shirts, jackets, and colors there are so many acceptable ways to wear a uniform no one student would look the same as the other on a typical day. The student body wants to wear what it wants. Restrictions will be necessary, yes, but should we not have a say in what WE wear to school for seven hours a day? If the uniform policy does in fact stay, I do ask that it would be a complete uniform policy and not what is trying to be passed off as one in our schools now.

Working4u - 4/19/2011 1:40 PM

0 Votes

Report User

This is what happens over time when it comes to manditory uniforms for public school childen. It is easy to view a decade with little or no change as an excuse to change good policy. Many parents that have children out of school now can remember why uniforms where an advantage in the first place. For many parents today, no uniforms mean no arguments with a child about what he or she will be wearing to school that morning. Uniforms mean that cloths are generic everyday and "my dear angel" can not complain anymore about keeping up with the "jones". Uniforms mean that concentration is given to uniform presentation vs. a teacher telling a student not to joke about how another student is dressed. Open dress policy will create a greater "bullying" situation against kids that are less fortunate than others. Uniform policy means not worrying about a tee shirt that advertises beer, profanity or inappropriate messeges that will offend other children and adults. This uniform policy teaches kids that proper dress is required for success in adult life and complying with dress policy is common sense in a employment environment. Obviously some parents with children presently in the school system need to experience a taste of the "cons" to understand the "pros" of a uniform policy. Over the years many parents have tended to relax when it comes to teaching theyre children what is expected of them as young adults and how to conform with others in a commonly shared atmosphere. Conforming is that lesson. It will be easier to end a uniform policy, but extremely hard to reinstate such a policy. Stopping a manditory uniform policy is something that all parents must take a hard look at before allowing a good thing to go away.

jpperez - 4/18/2011 1:33 PM

1 Vote

Report User

My grandchildren attend Escambia County, Alabama schools. I hate and despise the uniform policy. It is a serious financial burden to have to buy uniforms, everyday clothes, and Sunday clothes. Not to mention the fact that halfway through the school year they have outgrown the clothing or it is damaged or stained in some way. Then there are the arbitrary enforcement of the rules. Some students can wear yellow tees if they are in prep classes (but this is not in the school uniform policy), some can wear any color scarf, jacket, shoes, etc. Others are called to the office and threatened with suspension over minor infractions depending on whether the office personnel like you or don't. Personally I would like a little more attention paid to educating instead of regimenting. And the uniforms don't stop the bullying. Kids will always find a difference they can use as a whip.

bamabean - 4/14/2011 12:04 PM

3 Votes

Report User

This is a real divided highway! I had 4 children in Baldwin Co Schools when the policy changed, it helped in the fact that everybody knew what they were wearing in the mornings but economically it was tough. I personally bought 5 sets for everybody but as they grew through the year it was a constant retail battle. (I am not sure but I think the shoe issues have changed but at the time it was all white, my son had a size 14 foot and all white was almost impossible to find.) Then the other side of the story; there were diffent styles that were allowed for some and not for others, i.e my daughter was called out for having a different designed white shirt, while I was in the office, another girl walked in with the exact same shirt on and was not called out. I believe our educators should spend a little less time on what our children have on and more of what they need to be concentrating on, which is educating our children. Uniforms? I believe there are more postitives to having them, but we must also respect the fact not every parent have the funds to keep up with the mandates.

Click Here to Add Your Comments View All