I can't speak for everyone who is opposed to uniforms, only myself and some others with whom I have discussed this issue. Some uniform supporters have tried to trivialize our opposition to the policy by casting it as nothing more than an infringement upon the child's freedom of expression. Although this is important, the far more important issues are the rights of parents to decide not only what their children will wear but how the clothing dollar is spent. While there are those who seek to relinquish parental rights by favoring this policy ("I don't have to fight with my children in the morning over what they will wear."), those of us who oppose this policy desire to parent our own children without the intrusion of a governmental body. Regardless of the number of people contacting the board either in favor of or against this policy, the majority have spoken their opposition through their actions in opting their children out of the uniform requirements.

This is an issue of privacy (as guaranteed by the Florida constitution) and parental rights.

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA

ARTICLE I DECLARATION OF RIGHTS

SECTION 23. Right of privacy.--Every natural person has the right to be let alone and free from governmental  intrusion into his private life except as otherwise provided herein. This section shall not be construed to limit the public's right of access to public records and meetings as provided by law.

The board was elected to lead, not to be despotic in its actions. In a representative government it is crucial that our elected leaders recognize their duty to lead with a vision to the future without sacrificing the reality of today. The reality is this policy was handled badly from its inception and it has created a divisive atmosphere where it sought to create unity. It is time to uniformly enforce a dress code (already in existence) and accept the failure of the uniform policy.

I invite others to e-mail me ( Darlene Williams ) with their particular reasons for opposition or support for the uniform policy.

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