LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / March 25, 2000

LULING – School uniforms could be mandatory in the fall for all St. CharlesParish public school students. Parents are being asked to express theiropinions on that by April 7.

That deadline will give the school board an opportunity to review those comments before the next and deciding meeting on April 12.

The St. Charles School Board on Wednesday approved revisions to thestudent dress code, which added mandatory school uniforms.

Copies of the policy and enforcement procedures are now available at all schools. Information is also available on the school board’s website, and ashort program is being produced this weekend to show off designs.

Uniforms did not meeting with universal approval, though, as both school board member Mary Bergeron and Hahnville resident Milton Allemand spoke out against the plan as it stands.

Bergeron said her problems stem from the survey recently conducted of parents, students and employees. She said half the parents said they did notwant uniforms to be mandatory.

“We should do it only if it’s what the majority of parents want,” Bergeron added, moving to approve the policy revisions on first reading but to re- survey parents.

Bergeron advised first providing parents with information on uniform styles, costs and enforcement procedures, and only then surveying them after they have all the facts.

Board president “Sonny” Savoie responded, “How many times are we going to survey?” Member John L. Smith said the board is elected by the people to make thetough decisions. Bergeron withdrew her motion.Allemand’s objections were more pointed. He said uniforms will not improveeducation, will not increase safety, will create discipline problems and will create a financial hardship.

He added a 20 percent approval by surveyed parents did not constitute a mandate.

The school uniform policy was originally to be phased in, with primary and elementary school students starting this fall and middle and high school students following suit in the 2001-2002 school year. However, this wasrevised during the meeting to include all grade levels this fall.

Basic uniform styles have already been selected, leaving color selection up to the schools. Allemands, Carver and Norco K-3 elementary schools would wearnavy blue, New Sarpy Kindergarten and Elementary would both wear royal blue and red, Lakewood Elementary would wear maroon and gold, R.J. VialElementary would wear gold, and Norco 4-6 Elementary would wear red.

Also, Mimosa Park Elementary would wear sky blue, St. Rose Primary wouldwear hunter green, Schoeffner Elementary would wear turquoise and gray, and A.A. Songy Kindergarten would wear yellow and kelly green.Cammon Middle would wear royal blue and red, Hurst Middle would wear hunter green and J.B. Martin Middle would wear navy blue and red. Landry Middlewould wear white.

Luling Elementary, Destrehan High and Hahnville High have yet to select uniform colors.

A six-step disciplinary plan is also part of the revised dress code. Firstviolation is being sent home. Second violation includes an in-school detention.Third violation includes “renting” a uniform for the day.

A fourth violation would result in an out-of-school suspension., a fifthviolation would result in a wilful disobedience violation and a sixth could result in expulsion.

Parents with financial hardships or religious-based opposition could apply for exemptions to the school uniform policy, judged on a case-by-case basis, according to the policy.

“These procedures are not written in stone,” member Steve Crovetto commented. “I think the majority of people I represent want schooluniforms.”In other business, the school board: Heard a presentation by the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, now coming under state operation for the first time since its founding in 1973.

Approved janitorial supply bids.

Approved a $3,108.86 change order for the administrative addition at NewSarpy Kindergarten, increasing the total price to $343,108.86. Approved a change order for the Allemands Elementary addition, converting a mechanical/electrical room into a classroom at a cost of $25,711.95. Honored employees with 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service.

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