Broward School Board asks administrators to survey parents on need for mandatory student uniforms
FORT LAUDERDALE -- The Broward School Board on Tuesday directed district administrators to survey parents in order to gather their thoughts on whether the district should adopt a mandatory dress code.
The School Board made the request in lieu of voting on a proposal that would have required all of the district's students to wear a uniform dress code.
Currently, some county schools require them, but it's not a district-wide policy across Broward. And the majority of schools in the district do not require uniforms.
It was not immediately clear when the board would receive the results of the survey.
Those in favor say uniforms help students focus more on academics rather than fashion.
Those against it, say it forces parents to spend more money.
If the School Board approves the proposal, it would still need to go through another process, which would take months and then come back to the board for a final vote.
Another item expected to be discussed is moving the start of the school year.
An Aug. 19 start date has received support, but Superintendent Peter Licata has suggested that it be moved to Aug. 12, the earliest start date allowed by the state now. He hopes to end the first semester before winter break instead of dragging it into January.
To do that, and still get the state-required instructional time, the district will need to convert four early release days, where students leave two hours early, into full school days.
Due to an agreement with the teachers union, a new start date isn't possible for the 2024 school year. However, the union said they are open to changes for the following 2025 school year.