BOE Planning to Enforce Dress Code and Anti-Bullying Laws

During their Tuesday meeting, members of the Manalapan-Englishtown Board of Education decided they will table the idea of a school uniform and focus instead on enforcing the current dress code policy. They also discussed the impact of the new statewide anti-bullying law which will be enforced this school year.    

“I think the shirt is what they need; they don’t need a uniform,” said Board Member Annamarie Galante. Since February, she has spearheaded the idea of bringing a certain style of dress—perhaps a required polo shirt—to the district’s schools. Over time, however, her enthusiasm was not shared by a five-member majority on the Board.

“I think we just need to focus in on school-by-school, meaning and , to start on a stricter dress code,” said Board Member Brian Graime. If that does not work, the Board could consider other options, he added.

Board President Michele Stipelman was never in favor of the idea. Stipelman said that she feels a school uniform could have greater repercussions beyond what parents and students in the district might think of the idea.

“Uniforms, or the concept of uniforms, doesn’t just have meaning to the people in the schools. It affects everyone in the township,” said Stipelman. She said that if the school district had a uniform, it could possibly dissuade people from moving to the township.

“Using the word ‘uniform’ isn’t totally correct,” said Galante, who taught in New York City public schools. “It’s really a dress code, which we do have. But everyone can say they implement it, but they don’t implement it. It’s too hard. It takes away too much time from education.”

Stipelman said that she would not necessarily object to the idea of a collared shirt if it could be worn in multiple styles and colors. First, however, the Board will discuss dress code policies with school administration. Superintendent John J. Marciante Jr. said he will call in the staff of Pine Brook School and MEMS for a meeting with the Board of Education.  

In the past, Galante said her motivation was to level the playing field in student dress, cut down on wasted time in dress code policing, and also to prevent bullying. Bullying is an issue which the Board of Education will address more comprehensively in the new school year, in accordance with new state mandates.  

According to Marciante, the district’s anti-bullying policy is now on the main page of every school website. Marciante plans to send out a letter to warn parents that the new policies will be enforced stringently. These policies include pupil suicide prevention and new reporting guidelines for bullying. To read the new policy as it appears on the MEMS Web site, click here.

“When something is done along this policy [a bullying incident], it must be documented, and a letter must go in the child’s file,” said Marciante.

Graime asked if there is anyone from the state who goes out and discusses this new policy with parents. Marciante said he will ask principals to approach the topic during back-to-school night.

“You have to remember that the bullying law was put together very quickly. Just to let you know, the state is having its first workshop for the district-wide state bullying specialists next week, so they haven’t actually been trained,” said Marciante. He also said that the state will train companies who might offer anti-bullying services or products.  

Marciante also said that there is a bullying specialist in every school building including the Early Childhood Learning Center, which has a social worker. Cindy Margulies, the Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel Services, is the district-wide anti-bullying specialist. She can be contacted at   732-786-2750 or at cmargulies@mers.k12.nj.u.

Margulies will be meeting with the Board of Education to discuss the district’s plan to enforce the policy. Assistant Superintendent Joanne Monroe suggested that the Board should invite parents to attend that meeting to hear the explanation.

The Board of Education will continue discussing these topics, among others, at their next planned meeting for Tuesday, Sept. 6, at 7:30 p.m. at 54 Main Street, Englishtown.