Board considers case for school uniforms

EATONTOWN — At the urging of several parents, the borough Board of Education is considering the possibility of creating a school uniform.

At the board’s meeting last week, Red Bank Charter School Board President Michael Stasi and Charter School Principal Meredith Pennotti spoke about their school’s experience with uniforms.

The Charter School "has had the uniform for two years; it works very well," Stasi said.

The Charter School’s uniform consists of polo shirts and khakis from L.L. Bean for both boys and girls.

Before the school had a uniform, it followed a dress code. The dress code was scrapped in favor of uniforms because the code was interpreted differently. For some a white shirt meant anything from a button-down to a T-shirt. This is why the school switched to the uniform.

Similarly Eatontown has a dress code for its students to follow. The dress code states students cannot wear inappropriate attire, an example of which is any gang- affiliated clothing.

The policy states, "Pupils may not wear clothing or engage in grooming practices that present a health or safety hazard to the individual pupil or to others."

The policy also states that the school’s principal will enforce the dress code.

But the audience wanted to know how they (the Charter School officials) enforce wearing the uniform. Pennotti said they picked things kids like to wear. Both the parents and the children like the look.

Pennotti said she thinks the reason the children don’t resent the uniform is that they helped to pick it, which helps instill pride of the school in them.

Pennotti said, "The price of the uniform is around $100 a year, not including shoes."

Along with the school uniform, the students must also have a gym uniform, which is not included in the $100. They need to wear the uniforms to school on days they have physical education.

When asked about uniforms stifling the children’s individuality, Pennotti said, "It allows us to focus on the child."

She also said that there is a fund to help children whose parents cannot afford the uniform.

Van Wagner called this an input session. He said the board is nowhere near making a decision on adopting uniforms. If, after further investigation of uniforms, the concept is not supported, the policy won’t be implemented, Van Wagner said.

Board member Joseph reinforced Van Wagner’s statement. He said the only reason it was brought out was to be heard, "If it’s wanted, it comes up again. If not, it dies a slow death."

At that point Van Wagner said, "If it’s not wanted, it dies a quick death."