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School uniforms proposal brings out differing opinions on island

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After a deep breath and a quick word of confidence from her dad, Abby Marlin stepped up to the podium at Monday's town hall meeting to discuss the proposed countywide school uniform policy.

Marlin, 12, wore a uniform before she

attended Hilton Head Island Middle School, and she doesn't want to wear one again.

"I think being able to choose your own clothes in the morning is a direct reflection of who you are as a person," she said to a crowd of about 30 parents, educators and school board members at the Hilton Head Island Library.

"I didn't particularly like wearing a uniform," she continued, "and I didn't think it would be that fun if I had to wear it again in the seventh grade."

Parents and teachers on both sides of the issue gave their opinions at the meeting held by Hilton Head Island's representatives on the school board: Bob Arundell, Reid Eikner and Joan Deery.

The board is considering the policy to create consistency among its 28 schools, since only half have uniform policies.

After collecting public input, the board intends to vote Aug. 19 on whether a uniform policy should be established.

From there, a committee of parents, teachers, students and community leaders would discuss what the uniforms would look like. It also would address how to assist families who can't afford the new attire and develop an opt-out provision for parents who are opposed to their children wearing uniforms. A final vote on the

proposal is scheduled for Dec. 16.

Many parents said at the meeting

that it doesn't make sense to vote on creating a uniform policy if a specific uniform has not been chosen. Others said it would violate a student's sense of self and choice and have little to no effect on student behavior.

Sandra Entrup said her son plays sports and gets As, Bs and Cs on his report card, and requiring him to dress a certain way would neither change his academic performance nor create a sense of school unity.

Other parents, however, thought a uniform policy would eliminate stress and, perhaps, bullying.

"Some kids are killed for their shoes, shot for their jeans," said parent Nathalie Jacobson about the risk of wearing gang colors. "(A policy) keeps all that other friction out of the school system."

While some parents praised the proposed opt-out provision, others said it's pointless to create a policy that people can ignore.

Bob Arundell, school board member, said there are no easy answers, and the board would consider all comments.

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