ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Students in the Allentown School District can officially wear hoodies in class. The school board voted unanimously Thursday evening to make school uniforms optional.
- Allentown school board directors unanimously approved eliminating a mandatory uniform policy Thursday
- Students and teachers advocated at the meeting for the change
- Some community members and district employees worried the change would lead to bullying and gang activity
Teacher Sara Jane Brace said as a parent she used to be a fierce advocate of a mandatory uniform policy because it was simpler for her if her child wore the uniform every day. But she said she’s changed her mind after becoming an educator.
“In my room, they are doing absolutely nothing to help with behavior,” she said. “And they're causing kids to miss school. I've had kids come to school after missing a day or two because they told me they didn't have a clean uniform.”
Brace implored board members to “stop the hate on hoodies” and avoid making the new dress and grooming guidelines more strict on female students.
“We do have gangs and this is going to enhance the gang colors and we've got to be aware of that."Former Allentown School Board Director Robert Smith
The school board created the uniform policy in 2013. The recommendation came from the safety committee, said former school board member Robert Smith, who was school board president when the policy was being implemented.
District officials and proponents at the time reportedly advocated for uniforms to create a business-like learning environment, help families save money on school clothes and prevent the wearing of gang colors, inappropriate attire and bullying.
Smith spoke against relaxing the policy Thursday due to safety concerns. He said he was concerned about gang members wearing their colors at school, and also widening the gap between students who can afford nicer clothes than others.
“We do have gangs and this is going to enhance the gang colors and we've got to be aware of that. I know you've already made up your mind and I appreciate the comments made. But safety is the number one priority why we did this previously.
“Safety for our students safety for our staff, and you just have to remember that and take it in consideration. This is going to open up the door for gang members to do little gang things with their tags with the hats,” Smith said.
The district conducted six focus groups and sent out three surveys on the uniform policy.
Tiffany Polek, director of student services, said more than 7,300 students in K-12 grades took one of two surveys; 20 administrators also took a survey.
In the first, more than 80% of students disagreed or strongly disagreed with continuing to make uniforms mandatory. Parents, however, supported or strongly supported maintaining the current policy by 61%.
About 2,500 middle school students and 824 high school students responded to second survey in which 2,243 wanted the uniform policy eliminated. Others favored simplifying it or keeping it as is.
“In my room, they are doing absolutely nothing to help with behavior,” she said. “And they're causing kids to miss school. I've had kids come to school after missing a day or two because they told me they didn't have a clean uniform.”Allentown School District Teacher Sara Jane Brace
Most Lehigh Valley school districts do not require students to wear a uniform, including Parkland, East Penn and Easton school districts.
Under new guidelines, the board would still be able to require clothing standards, but the rules would also say school staff should use the minimum necessary restrictions on students’ taste and individuality in clothing. The board is expected to develop and vote on new rules next month.
