Editorial: Kids, uniforms and the schools

Wednesday, April 29, 1998 | 10:48 a.m.

ANOTHER Clark County elementary school has been added to the list of public schools adopting a voluntary uniform policy.

Fay Herron Elementary School students started wearing uniforms for the first time on Monday, becoming the 15th school with such a policy. Fourth-grader Franky Gutierrez couldn't be more pleased. "It's going to be great," Gutierrez told the SUN's Benjamin Grove. "Now if someone says you're ugly, I can say you're ugly -- you've got the same uniform on."

Advocates of school uniforms believe they help rid the schools of gang regalia and eliminate peer pressure children might feel to buy expensive clothes to keep up with others. Opponents contend schools have no business telling parents their children should have to wear uniforms.

As it stands now, a public school in Clark County can adopt a voluntary uniform policy if an overwhelming majority of parents support the idea. But as Grove reports, some principals believe that after awhile a "voluntary" policy ends up with few students participating. The Clark County School Board's policy committee next month will consider a new regulation that would instead allow individual schools to make uniform policies mandatory.

When it comes to clothes, there shouldn't be an anything-goes mentality for students. The School Board recently clarified what is acceptable clothing and what isn't: For instance, all shorts and skirts must be within 5 inches of the knee and tank tops are not accepted.

If the School Board decides to allow individual schools to adopt mandatory uniform policies, however, parents should be involved. Parents should vote on whether they want a mandatory uniform policy, as is currently done with the voluntary policy. Unlike amending the dress code, adopting a mandatory uniform policy is a significant step that should require the consent of parents.