OXNARD : Board to Discuss Uniform Proposal

Students at elementary and junior high schools in Oxnard may be required to wear uniforms soon, under a proposal by the district’s superintendent.

Oxnard Elementary School District Supt. Bernard Korenstein has suggested that the district’s Board of Trustees adopt a policy allowing individual schools to require students to wear uniforms.

Korenstein’s suggestion follows a state law allowing school boards to require their students to wear uniforms on campus. The law became effective Jan. 1.

Three of the district’s five trustees said they would be in favor of the proposal, but said schools should consult parents before moving ahead with the policy.

“I’m very excited about this. I think it’s a way not only to limit gang activity, but it also teaches youngsters what’s appropriate dressing,” said trustee Mary Barreto. “We need to teach our children that they can’t go to apply for a job at IBM wearing baggy clothing.”

Trustees Susan Alvarez and James Suter also said they like the idea.

But trustee Dorothie Sterling said she needs to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of school uniforms. Trustee Arthur Lopez could not be reached.

The board is scheduled to discuss Korenstein’s suggestion at its meeting Wednesday.

Last fall, Garden Grove Elementary School in Simi Valley joined other schools statewide by adopting a voluntary policy.

In 1993, the Long Beach Unified School District adopted a policy requiring all 57,000 students in its elementary and middle schools to wear uniforms.