2008 SCHOOL BOARD RACE:

WHY UNIFORMS MAKE SENSE FOR STUDENTS!

Phony arguments about cost are just that, phony!

One has to wonder what goes through the minds of some people.

Nearly every single study and analysis on the benefits of students wearing uniforms is a good thing for learning.

These idiots who oppose uniforms in the name of expense couldn't tell you how much a uniform costs or the actual cost of education here in North Arlington.

These people are ill informed political cynics who have little to contribute in the name of education or anything else for that matter. They have no idea to the numerous items in which North Arlington spends hundreds of thousands of dollars on expenditures that have little, if anything to do with education, curriculum or instruction of children.

For example, one high ranking school official has an employment agreement that increases their salary in three years from $137,700 to $148,633.

That same employee has the benefit of twenty-five (25) paid vacation days and the ability to sell back twelve vacation days at the current rate of pay. In addition, this same employee has 13 paid sick days, two personal days and three family leave days for a total of 43 paid days without having to come to work!

Why doesn't that kind of excessive giveaway upset those so concerned about the school district's finances?

You think that's all? How about additional reimbursements for auto, conferences, membership dues, health benefits, physical exams and annuity payments all courtesy of the taxpayers of North Arlington?

Generous and excessive deals such as this are the reason why school taxes are rising.

The cost of uniforms is not.

But let's not focus on the negative, let's focus why uniforms do make sense for students:

* Uniforms make it easier for school officials and teachers to recognize students who belong and those who don't. It makes it that much harder for those who don't belong to blend into any school facility.

* Uniforms end the silly task of teachers and administrators of having to play fashion police with students that don't comply to the relaxed dress code in place.

* Schools become locations of learning versus "fashion shows" and other unnecessary distractions. It's tough enough to be a kid today, a little discipline and uniformity is a good thing for learning.

* Issues of theft among peers and the senseless "social snobbery" that comes with no dress code can be eliminated over time.

* Uniforms eliminate the threat of "gang colors" and other distractions that prevent classroom learning.

* Uniforms are a step in the right direction in a district that could use some school pride and dress code discipline. Uniforms send the right message to taxpayers that public schools are serious venues of learning and should be supported financially in public referendums.

The inept and incapable who seem to oppose this true reform are now pointing to "cost" as the reason to stop the uniform crusade.

North Arlington is proposing a $24.7 million dollar spending package of which $20.5M will be raised through taxation. With about 1,560 students in the district, only about half the district will participate in this pilot program. If the cost of a collared shirt with a logo is $10 wholesale, the total estimated cost of purchase by a reliable vendor would be roughly $7,800.

Over a 180-day school year, it would cost the district $43 a day to provide uniforms.

Let's look at it another way. With schools only open 180 days a year, the cost of public education in North Arlington costs $114,038 per school day!

That means the cost of uniforms is 0.2% of all school spending. It probably costs more to uniform the varsity football team. The helmets alone could runs as high as the cost of uniform tops and blouses!

It's time for the district to show some leadership and action.

Let's ignore the perennial nay sayers who offer nothing and complain about everything!

The implementation of school uniforms much like Queen of Peace is a step in the right direction. We urge the district to ignore the chronically ignorant and place the hopes of children first by transforming them into students who look and dress like they want to learn.