Parents just learning of uniform policy at Lake County elementary school

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Parents of children who attend a Lake County elementary school are just finding out their kids will have to wear uniforms in the upcoming school year.

Eustis Heights Elementary School students will be required to follow the school's new dress code policy when school starts in August.

Many parents told Channel 9 they want to know why the district implemented the new uniform policy just one month before school starts.

"I could walk my kids to and from school every day and it would be easy and it would not be complicated, but I can not do the uniforms," parent Carrie Testore said.

Testore and other parents said the uniforms are an added cost that families weren't expecting to learn about last minute.

"That I did not care for. I actually found out through Facebook," parent Shondra Aiken said.

Eyewitness News asked Principal Rhonda Hunt if parents were given enough notice about the uniform policy.

"I know the parents weren't aware of it, but I started July 1 and I was brought here to make our school an A," Hunt said.

The school received an "F" grade this year. Hunt said the uniforms will take away classroom distractions, like they have at the other four school she's been at.

But Hunt said she realizes the uniforms will be a new cost for parents. She has already raised more than $1,000 to stock a room with donated shirts, shorts and skirts.

"Anyone can come in and say, 'I want to sponsor a child,'" Hunt said.

The school's new dress code has already been approved by the school's advisory committee. The first day of school and uniforms at Eustis Heights Elementary School is August 18.

WFTV