All students within the Broward County school district may have to wear uniforms beginning next school year, if the school board pushes through a proposal on uniforms.
The school board is set to discuss the policy this Tuesday.
Currently, some public schools in the county wear uniforms. Very few high schools in the county have a uniform policy in place.
The proposal calls for a “unified dress code” for all students from kindergarten through 12th grade. If passed, students would have to wear a collared shirt in a limited number of solid colors, and either pants, shorts or skirts of a solid color.
Uniforms have several benefits, according to Broward Schools, including improving discipline, self-esteem, and self-respect; helping students to focus on learning; eliminating bullying; and helping to identify student populations from strangers on school grounds.
Critics however say it will force parents to spend more money on clothes kids won’t wear outside of school.
If the school board approves the proposal on Tuesday, it would still need to go through a rule development process, which would likely take 60 to 90 days, and come back to the board for a final vote.
Other proposals on the table
School board members will also discuss starting the next school year earlier than they usually do.
The original proposal was that the next school year begin on Aug. 19.
That was before Broward Superintendent Dr. Peter Licata recommended that Broward begin the year on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, which would fall in line with the Palm Beach School District, Licata’s former School District.
But the Aug. 12 start date, however, received pushback from the Broward Teachers Union, which must agree to the change through collective bargaining.
The Aug. 19 start date is still on the table and will be discussed on Tuesday.
The move is to help Broward become an A-rated district.
Read more: Broward County school year may start earlier next year
