Against Volusia County School Uniforms

Dear Volusia County School Board Members,

I am sending you a link to the petition I started a week ago. We currently have over 2,300 signatures and it's climbing. This should speak volumes, especially in light of the faulty survey the district put out that yielded a split decision. The biggest reason for this petition is to stop the attention this subject has been given. You do NOT have an overwhelming community support for this change. Dress code will need to be enforced, regardless of what it is...and that has been the underlying issue. Our children need teachers who are compensated fairly and given the opportunity to teach without so much mandated testing. We would like to see the time and energy that you have focused on what our children look like on the outside, focused on what they need on the inside. Testing volume, not clothing choices, needs to be looked at and reduced.  With more demands on our teachers time and energy...and the FSA repercussions looming, we need board members focused on creative solutions for our students minds not their wardrobe. Everyone gets off track and makes mistakes sometimes...we would like you to acknowledge that and self-correct before it is too late.

It is our job as parents to control what our children wear to school and ensure it complies with the current dress code.  This is public school...who is to say you won't have the "problem dress code violators" opt out? Having students not in class, especially over dress code, is not likely going to help them perform at a higher level. What may have sounded like a good idea at one point...when thought out sometimes is realized not to be. We hope you have reached this conclusion. 

Please ask yourself one question, "Why did I decide to run for a seat on the Volusia County School Board?"  I am sure, and hopeful, it was not to enact a uniform policy for the students of Volusia County.  Don't you want to be known as the school board that made a difference in education in Volusia County? Uniforms are not a difference maker...please don't fall into the trap of thinking they are. 

After reading these considerations, we are respectfully asking that you abandon this pursuit of a new dress code policy. Instead, refocus on the administrations role in enforcement of the current policy. And, begin focusing on what your role is in creating policies that will improve our children's education. 

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/780/794/383/against-volusia-county-school-uniforms/

Thank you,

Cyndi Bailey