District 100 School Board voted against a uniform dress code for K - 5 students at last night's well attended board meeting. After spirited debate, the vote was 4-3 with Dawn Rinehart, Tony Harris and Carol Frankovic voting yes, while Joanne Zendol, Jim Swicionis, Joanne Zaworski, Ann Marie Suter voted no. Audience members, who spoke passionately about the issue, waited anxiously, especially for Suter's vote who hadn't expressed an opinion in opening statements.
Arguments for uniforms included (1) the will of the people (an informal survey conducted during school registration), (2)uniformity with Morton, middle schools and D98, (3) not caving in to "Oprahish" concepts like individual expression through dress.
Arguments against: (1) there is no empirical data supporting efficacy of uniforms, (2) if uniforms serve to reduce learning "distractions" and distractions don't exist (as reported by teachers, principals, and admins), then - as logic would indicate, there is no need for uniforms, (3) uniforms are not a DACEE recommendation, and thus, not a characteristic of top performing schools.
It was an interesting civics' lesson. Is it a board responsibility to bow to the preference of the community (Majority of parents surveyed at registration preferred uniforms) or is it their responsibility to make decisions based on sound educational research and emperical data (Neither support a need for uniforms in our community, nor indicate that uniforms would increase student achievement)?
Such a close vote reminds us how important the upcoming School Board elections will be. We will be voting for candidates who will make decisions that have a direct impact on the quality of life in Berwyn. Please be informed about the serious issues facing our schools and ask the candidates about their positions. Check back on this blog for information as the election nears.
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