After the Secaucus Board of Education sent out surveys to the parents of students in all Secaucus schools, the board decided to institute the wearing of school uniforms for next year.
Assistant Superintendent of Schools Ralph Merlo stated that the uniform would consist of khaki slacks, polo shirts and sweaters for boys. Girls will have the option of skirts, cardigans, jumpers, and "skorts', a garment that is a combination of a skirt and shorts. The question of whether sneakers will be allowed has yet to be decided. The new dress code will apply to all Secaucus students in all age ranges.
Broad support for khakis and skorts
The use of school uniforms has been increasingly adopted by school systems throughout the country, but not without some controversy. The issue of adopting school uniforms went as high as the United States Supreme Court as early as 1969, when U.S. Supreme Court Justice Abe Fortas, speaking for the majority in the Tinker vs. Des Monies case, stated that "in the absence of a specific showing of constitutionally valid reasons to regulate their speech, students are entitled to freedom of expression for their views," including dress.
However, if all politics are truly local, so are dress code rules. There have been recent controversies in the Hudson County towns of Bayonne and Union City, because parents in those towns were restricted to buying their child's uniforms from a single vender, and that de facto contract was not put out to public bid. But that shouldn't be a problem in Secaucus because the guidelines allow parents to buy uniforms from retailer of their choice.
Merlo also pointed to strong support in the town as one important justification for the board's decision.
"We've had interest in doing this for a few years," he said. "We sent a survey to every family at all four Secaucus schools. Clarendon School parents voted for the dress code by a 79 percent margin. At Huber Street School, the number was 87 percent. The middle school parents voted 83 percent in favor. Finally, at the high school, the vote was 80 percent is favor. We would not have administered a dress code if the overall vote was not 70 percent in favor of it because we felt that we needed a strong commitment from the community about this move."
Merlo sees the implementation of a dress code as having an important positive social effect in the classroom. "There has been a lot of competition, particularly in the high school, with boys and girls trying to keep up with one another. There has also been a lot of response from parents and students that they would like to see a dress code to eliminate that. Maybe a dress code can eliminate that kind of competition and burden on families. The general total price range for the uniforms will be $20 to $40. Outfitting your child with school standardized dress will be more economical that buying current retail fashions."
Other regulations
There are a few other notable rules that are part of the new dress code. Hats or other type of headgear will not be allowed unless approved for medical or religious reasons. Sunglasses are also not permitted unless allowed for medical reasons. Winter outerwear cannot be worn in class. Student midriffs must be covered. Skirt length should go no higher than the students' fingertips. Shoes must be firmly fastened to feet, and flip-flops will not be permitted. Finally, student clothing should be worn in a way that does not expose underwear.
Principal posits new dress code as reasonable
Principal Fred Ponti of the Huber Street School had a historical perspective on the new dress code.
"This isn't anything new as far as I'm concerned," he said. "I remember when I was sent on a conference 15 years ago that discussed dress codes. I like dress codes in part because of the positive research results about the subject. It does standardize the playing field for all students in terms of the haves and have-nots. It also takes all the concerns and energy about what you have to do to keep an image and puts it back into the learning environment."
Mark J. Bonamo can be reached at mbonamo@hudsonreporter.com
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