It's becoming increasingly evident to me that this uniform debate is about money, in more ways than one.
The Chamber of Commerce has taken an inappropriate interest in the issue.
Despite reliable studies to the contrary, certain people continue to insist that uniforms are cheaper for families.
Now lets take a look at the attendees at the town meeting on Wednesday night.
Average property value of attendee speaking in favor of uniforms: $284,674
Average property value of attendee speaking against uniforms: $151,861
Average property value of Flagler Schools parents for 07-08 who spoke for uniforms: $192,548
Average property value of Flagler Schools parents for 07-08 who opposed uniforms: $120,971
Tell me again that this isn't about money?
Cost is all about perspective. Yes, school uniforms are cheaper - if you are an upper income family who is spending a lot of money on designer label clothes for your child. Uniforms mean being able to replace a few of those expensive purchases with cheaper uniforms.
But for the lower to middle-income families, it will mean more expenditures since you will have to add uniforms to your child's already basic wardrobe so they can have school and play clothes to wear every day.
It's all about your (financial) perspective.
I think a lot of this push for uniforms come from certain people's desires to see Flagler Schools as "elite" schools. When this generation of parents were kids, the only schools that wore uniforms were the special, private schools. I think some people think that we can perhaps add some "class" and desirability to our school system - and thus our community - by dressing up the kids.
Well, you can put a fresh coat of paint on a car that won't run and you know what? It's still not going to run. Put a tux on a skunk and it's still going to stink.
Putting a pretty wrapper on our schools will not change the fact that they have real problems. It will not magically turn our students into idyllic models of learning and citizenship.
Clothing can't instill morals. It takes parents, teachers and other mentors to do that.
1 comment:
I commend Nancy N. on such a well documented web site. This site will add to the quality of input about this particular issue in the schools. I for one would like to see more of this as it is important that the community have a MAJOR say in what we do in the schools .
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