Perth School Board Approves High School Uniforms For Next Year

(Reprinted from Amboy Beacon, Sept. 11, 2010)


PERTH AMBOY — Following a public hearing, the Board of Education voted to institute a mandatory school uniform policy starting next September at Perth Amboy High School, Eagle Avenue. The Resolution was moved by Milady Tejeda, seconded by Armando Tamargo and adopted 7-0. Members Obdulia “Obi” Gonzalez and Eric Rodgers were absent. Tejeda, who was appointed by the Board in June to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former Board President Austin Gumbs, and Tamargo, who was appointed by the Board in August to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former Board President Kenneth Gonzalez, are the Board’s newest members. Before the public hearing was opened, Board Attorney Victor Medina advised Board members that they had three options: to vote against implementing any uniform policy, to vote to implement the policy starting next September, or to vote to implement the policy starting in January. The district’s elementary and middle schools already have such policies. Principal Rozalia Czaban reported that a survey showed 35 percent of parents favoring starting in January, 30 percent favoring starting next September, and 20 percent opposing uniforms. The remaining 15 percent chose more than
one option and weren’t counted. She also informed the Board that a student committee had designed a logo
for the uniforms. Member Israel Varela, a strong proponent of mandatory uniforms, chastised
school administrators for not having their required documents ready to begin the program this September.
“Why didn’t we have this in-place?” he declared. “Someone dropped the ball. We should have had this ready when we hit-the-ground this school-year.” “At the June Board meeting, I did speak on uniforms,” Czaban retorted. “It was my understanding we were going to implement it.” “I know the Board, as presently-constituted, was expecting uniforms at the high school,” Superintendent of Schools John Rodecker said. “We never committed as an Administration to implement this for the 2010-11 School Year. If
there was a misunderstanding, I apologize.” Both parents and students at the hearing were split on the issue.
Parent Donna Stewart raised the cost issue, which most of the parents questioned, but Varela responded that the savings is about half. “My wife actually purchases them, but I love it because she takes less-money out of my wallet,” he said. Calling uniforms “a major expense,” Stewart said the Board and parents “need to be more-concerned about their education.” Besides, she said, the existing dress code is not being enforced.
Jack Toussaint said the students should wear jackets-and-ties once- or twice-a-week.