By Rachel Lippmann, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – St. Louis public school students could be wearing uniforms to class under a policy introduced Thursday night by district superintendent Kelvin Adams.
District policy does not allow the appointed board to order all students to wear uniforms, so the proposed new uniform policy requires two-thirds of parents in the district to approve any changes. Adams expects parents to be supportive once they understand his rationale.
"The research has indicated that we're better disciplined, students are less distracted and more focused around academics, and it's a better way to identify students so it's a safety and security concern," he said.
Schools would select the color of the pants and shirts the students would wear - a white shirt would always be acceptable. Voting would take place via mail.
The entire district wouldn't have to adopt a uniform policy to see benefits, Adams said.
"There are certain schools that are doing well academically, are doing well in terms of student behavior and discipline, and they don't need to have this in place," he said.
The appointed board overseeing the district will vote on the new uniform policy in two weeks. The board Thursday night approved a $750,000 contract with a New York-based firm that will attempt to turn around 17 of the district's worst-performing elementary and middle schools. The contract will be paid with state money.