Delaying the Uniforms Again

Just got this in our inbox:

Dear Parents:

Due to economic constraints, all School Uniform Parent Community Meetings are cancelled and will be rescheduled. At this time, the Board of Education of Harford County is deferring the school uniform exploration process, as well as other new initiatives, in order to focus on current budgetary issues. The Board is analyzing all current initiatives in the operating budget and realize the need to focus their energies at this time. No decisions have been made regarding school uniforms and the process will continue at a later date. As soon as that timeline is available, it will be communicated promptly. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Teri Kranefeld, manager of communications

Harford County Public Schools

Harford County Schools--Uniform Edition

We just read The Aegis editorial about school uniforms. The editors predict, and we agree with them, that after a series of pointless meetings (if you remember, pointless meetings about this were already held last year), hearing from committees, dissenters, etc., the ultimate approval on school uniforms would lay with HCPS' Executive Director David Volrath.
Unlike The Aegis, we don't have a problem with the school system deciding on this issue. If they really think it's a safety issue and it might help thwart gangs or just stop poorer children being made fun of, we're for it. But decide already and focus your attention on REALLY important issues. Because with the middle school situation in Abingdon, most of the kids are wearing uniforms anyway -- when they attend St. Margaret's, Trinity, St. Paul's, etc.
We spent the summer searching in vain for a store that did not have Hannah Montana or High School Musical clothing. We dare you to try to find a non-boutique store without these. We would have gladly bought some khakis and a white polo shirt instead of searching in vain for something without a Disney-fied Lolita adorning it.
And we here at TAA are not worried about students not being able to express themselves by how they dress. For those students whining about the lack of self-expression, here's an idea: write about it! Discuss! Is wearing a shirt that says how much you hate your sister really effective after the 1,000th wearing?

School Uniforms are Coming

Heard from a reliable source that Harford County School students will be wearing uniforms, although I'm not sure if the new rule will be in place for the 2008-09 school year or the next year. Uniform colors will match school colors.