Survey: 'Sufficient Interest’ in Student Uniforms for Manalapan-Englishtown Schools

The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional Schools Board of Education determined there is enough interest in the idea of school uniforms to warrant further investigation. According to the results of a district-wide survey, parents are evenly divided on the issue.

Following a Feb. 15 meeting, Superintendent John J. Marciante Jr. posted a survey on the district website asking for parent feedback on the proposal via the district email list. By Sunday, Feb. 27, nearly 2,000 parents had replied to the survey.

The survey asked parents to respond to three “yes” or “no” questions regarding the establishment of a school uniform in district elementary school for Grades K-5, Grade 6, and at MEMS for Grades 7 and 8.

Although the results revealed a fairly even divide, the Board is cautious to rely on the survey’s accuracy.

“Throughout the survey period, votes stayed within the 50-50 range. The survey did not prevent individuals from responding more than once. These results, along with conversations in the community, indicate that there is sufficient interest in the idea of school uniforms to warrant further exploration,” read a statement on the district’s website.

“The idea received mixed reviews," said Board President Donna Formoso after Tuesday’s meeting.

"It’s important to put this committee together. September is too quick,” she added, emphasizing that a uniform will not go into effect for Fall 2011.

The idea is not off the table and the Board is in the process of forming an interest committee. Formoso encourages any interested parent who has a child in a district school to go to the district website and click the Committee Interest link to fill out a brief contact form.

At their last meeting, Formoso designated Board members Annmarie Galante and Diane Bindler to investigate the issue and co-chair the interest committee. The uniform would consist of khaki pants and a polo shirt in different colors and logos that represent each school.

Some parents have expressed their concern over the cost of the uniform and take issue with the mandatory, parochial nature of a dress code. Meanwhile, others have seemed open, even hopeful for a uniform they believe would save money.

Meanwhile, resident Lisa Dimino said that the Board could be more transparent on the issue.   

“My children don’t go to school here, but I’m a taxpayer. I should have a right to participate in that survey as well,” she said. “It wasn’t put out to all of us taxpayers because we don’t have kids in school. Maybe if it was broadcast, we would have known about it,” said Dimino.

At the last meeting, the Board indicated that a uniform would probably be an out-of-pocket expense that could generate revenue for the schools.

Dimino also asked the Board to allow the township television network to broadcast Board of Education meetings.

In the past, the Board took a vote which prevented the network from freely broadcasting meetings, claiming that it invaded the privacy of parents who come to discuss issues involving their children.

The Board did not respond to Dimino’s complaint, but her remarks received some applause from those in attendance. 

The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for March 15 in the Administration Building.