Survey Planned on Neptune School Uniform Policy
By DON STINE
A controversial school uniform policy in Neptune will not be in effect at the beginning of this school year although a survey of parents regarding the issue will be conducted soon.
The ad hoc school uniform committee and the school board discussed the matter and decided that the best course of action right now is to survey parents about what they want, said Board of Education President Beverly J. Holland.
The surveys will be conducted during the Back To School nights in the elementary schools, which will be the first to implement to program if adopted.
The survey will have several questions and seek input from parents on the issue.
There is usually a good turnout at Back To School night and we urge everyone to please take time to fill out the survey, Holland said.
The surveys will then be tallied, studied, and a determination made about the uniform issue.
We want to find out how the majority of parents feel about the issue. Its not something we will force down their throats if they dont want it, she said.
Holland said implementing any uniform code would also have to comply with state statutes regulating such measures.
Once the policy is implemented parents need to be given at least 90 days to prepare for the program.
Holland said she did not yet know if the dress code rule would begin during a school year.
More than 100 parents turned out for a school board meeting over the summer to voice either support for or opposition to the uniform policy.
Under the proposed dress code policy, khaki-colored pants, shorts, jumpers or skirts will be the only dress option with no baggy, corduroy, or cargo pants allowed.
Either short or long-sleeved polo shirts or golf shirts will be required and they must be red, white or black with no logos or insignias. Turtleneck sweaters may be worn underneath the shirts and cardigan sweaters are allowed but only if one of the three allowable colors.
Socks, knee-highs, stockings or tights may be worn but only in red, white, black or neutral colors. All belts must be brown or black.
The policy would first be implemented in pre-school through the fifth grades for the next school year.
An advisory committee comprised of parents and school officials put the dress code recommendations together.
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