Manalapan-Englishtown Board of Education Responds to Criticism of Student Uniform Proposal

A proposal for a student uniform in Manalapan-Englishtown Regional Schools continues to cause debate among members of the Board of Education and parents.

The topic came up again during a BOE meeting on March 16.

“You can’t ask people to vote on something without giving them the information,” said Theresa Lamendola, whose children attend Taylor Mills Schools and the John I. Dawes Early Learning Center.

“So how are you asking us to comment on something when we don’t know?  It’s like chocolate and vanilla. I like the cake; I don’t like the ice cream. I need to know what I’m voting for,” said Lamendola.  

She participated in the district's online survey and signed up to be part of an interest committee through the district website. That link has since been taken down, and the Board is in the process of organizing the committee.  

Since the idea was first during a Feb. 15 meeting, Lamendola sent emails to Superintendent John J. Marciante Jr., Assistant Superintendent Joanne Monroe, and Board Member Annamarie Galante asking for clarification, but was unable to get a clear response to her question. She wanted to know why the topic was brought up in the first place.

Board President Donna Formoso said that the idea was originally presented by Galante. Formoso had then appointed Galante and Board Member Diane Bindler to begin an interest committee that would investigate the possibility of a uniform. Formoso called it the “very beginning” of the process.

“So anyone can bring up something and it can become an issue to vote on then?” asked Lamendola.

Superintendent Marciante weighed in on the discussion and said “there was no reason behind it (the proposal)". The district conducted an online survey to gauge the community’s thoughts and reactions to an idea that was proposed at a very elementary, exploratory level.

“It came out 50-50. Like many things in America these days, it’s split down the middle,” said Marciante, commenting on the . Seeing that enough parents were interested, the Board decided to proceed with their study.

Board Member Valerie Maglione redirected the conversation to answer Lamendola’s question about the origin of the idea. Galante was not present at the meeting to defend her point of view, but her colleagues offered some explanation on her behalf.

“She (Galante) just felt that she would like to see kids come to school a little bit neater,” said Board Member Michele Stipelman. “And the word ‘uniform’ came out. It might not be a uniform – the dictionary definition – it might just be a color code type of thing but just more of a neatness."

“It wasn’t a problem that she’s seeing in the district,” added Maglione. “It was a personal experience that she had, and she was thinking that maybe it was something that could be brought up to the community, so she brought it up at the meeting."

“She (Galante) also came from New York, and they wear uniforms in New York and in Philadelphia,” added Board Member James Mumolie.

Galante was a teacher in New York City public schools. When the idea was first introduced, Marciante admitted that uniforms were more popular in urban districts but not as common in suburban schools.

Members of the Board also reiterated the idea is a possible money-saver for parents.

Marciante called the survey "step one out of 25" before any child in the district would be wearing a school uniform. Following a March 1 meeting, Formoso had that a Fall 2011 uniform was out of the question.

Parents like Lamendola are concerned that a decision would be made without their input and wanted to speak up before the Board took further action.

“Because I personally don’t want anyone to tell me what to put on my kids. This is still America,” said Lamendola, who voted “no”.

She said that if there had been a greater issue behind the proposal such as school bullying and student dress, she might have reconsidered her vote. Lamendola said that she attended Catholic school and feels that a uniform doesn’t necessarily ensure that students will come to school looking neat and clean; however, she supports enforcement of the district's current dress code.

Lamendola also took issue with Galante’s Feb. 15 that a uniform can help promote equality among the students. Lamendola seems to favor the idea that dress is a form of self-expression and individual identity.

Lisa Rass, a member of the Taylor Mills PTA, also expressed her opinion on the issue.

Rass read a report in the Asbury Park Press and became concerned about the cost of the uniform. She was wondering how children who are part of financial assistance programs can afford the uniforms and if other district parents would have to foot the bill.

“I’m on the PTA and I work for the kids, but I don’t want to pay for all the kids,” said Rass, adding that she doesn’t mean to sound harsh.

“You’re so beyond anything that has been discussed, we can’t make a comment,” said Formoso.

“Again, ‘Do you like chocolate ice cream or vanilla?’ That’s what that question was about. I think people put a lot of meaning to it beyond that, as if a lot of thought had been put behind it and opinions were being set up and policies were in place,” said Marciante.

Rass added that when it comes to student dress and appearance, "a lot of it comes down to parent accountability".

The BOE did not say when the student uniform interest committee would begin their meetings, but indicated that they are moving forward with their study.