VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — On Tuesday, the Volusia County School Board voted to eliminate its uniform policy and go back to a dress code.
The changes will be advertised for 28 days so that parents can weigh in at the July 27 meeting.
Channel 9 spoke to many parents who said they were indifferent about whether the policy stays or goes. They just want to see consistent enforcement from school to school and teacher to teacher with whatever the board decides to do.
READ: Friends, community rally after Timber Creek High School student dies in car crash
“My daughter is in first grade going into second. And the uniform thing - she had no problem with it. If I told her to wear this, that or the other, it’s fine with her; that’s what we put on,” said Lisa Wyant.
The board adopted the current policy for the start of the 2016-2017 school year.
READ: ‘Like COVID-19 on steroids’: Delta variant found in 47 states including Florida
Initially, the district got about $400,000 from the state before the state did away with the program the following year.
The policy was also thought to make things more affordable and easier for parents and eliminate some of the bullying.
But some students found the uniforms to be uncomfortable to wear, especially in the heat. Parents said children would find other things to bully each other on like shoes and things not covered by the policy or people’s looks.
READ: Experts weighs in after toddler’s death raises questions over what it means to be ‘brain dead’
Parent Michelle Rutkowski said, “If they are not going to enforce the uniform policy, how are they going to enforce the clothes?”
The biggest complaint Channel 9 heard from parents is the inconsistency in how the policy is enforced, not only varying from school to school but also, at times, from teacher to teacher.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.
©2021 Cox Media Group
