The Flagler County School Board voted 3-2 tonight to rescind their previous vote to require district students to wear school uniforms beginning with the 2008-2009 school year. The motion was presented by board member Evie Shellenberger, seconded by Peter Palmer. The third vote in support was from board chairwoman Colleen Conklin.
Board members Charles Gambaro and Sue Dickinson were extremely opposed to rescinding the previous action.
The board as a whole expressed their continued belief in the positive effects of uniforms and encouraged Supt. Delbrugge to bring them initiatives from PTO's and SAC's at individual schools that would like to go ahead with uniform plans in their buildings.
This fight is not over but has simply moved to a new jurisdiction. Parents who want to keep uniforms out of their schools will have to continue to be vigilant regarding the actions of the PTO and SAC committees at their childrens' schools.
It was evident from the board's discussion tonight that they continue to have no real concept of the impact that uniforms would have on the real families within this district. I was also extremely disappointed in the statements made by several board members regarding the parent contact that they have received (or not received) on this issue. Ms. Dickinson, in particular, seems to have a serious case of amnesia about events that have transpired and about contacts that she has received from members of the public. Another disappointment throughout this entire process has been the lack of response from the board to attempts to contact them - unless you are a potentially powerful political ally like the chairwoman of the local board of realtors. (My thanks to board member Peter Palmer for being the exception to that rule.)
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Is the fight against uniforms almost won?
According to an article in the News-Journal today, the fight against uniforms in Flagler Schools may be almost won. The school board meeting on Tuesday night at 6pm will be an important one, with the divided board having to reach a final decision.
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