Parents cry foul on vote for school uniforms

Danette Goulet

NEWPORT BEACH -- Parents at Andersen Elementary School will be asked to

vote for a second time next week on whether to adopt a school uniform

policy for students.

The results of the first set of ballots were supposed to be released

today but a handful of parents have requested a second vote, saying the

vote was tainted.

“The survey that was conducted prior to the vote taking place clearly

indicated the parents’ desire to have a uniform dress code at Andersen by

more than a three-to-one margin,” said Veronica Kubat, the parent who

conducted the survey in November.

In order to change policy, school officials declared that 70% of the

parents must vote and that 75% must be in favor of uniforms.

So when Kubat sent out ballots last week, she numbered them so that

parents who forgot to vote could be called and reminded to do so, she

said. Some parents have objected, saying voters could be identified by

the numbered ballots and perhaps even persuaded to vote a certain way.

Now those parents are demanding another vote be conducted by the

district.

“What’s happening here is a very despicable and typically political nasty

behavior,” said Kubat’s husband, John. “There’s a couple of ‘no’ people

that were so adamant about this not happening that they applied pressure

for a revote.”

Veronica Kubat denied that any parents were pressured to vote in favor of

the uniforms.

“People were aware of the process all along,” she said.

Kubat called a meeting weeks ago, she said, to which all parents were

invited. At that meeting, she told parents how the vote would be

conducted.

Cindy Dillion, another Andersen parent, said she opposed uniforms but did

not know why the ballots were recalled.

“[Kubat] did mention that people would be calling,” Dillion said. “I’m

not in favor of uniforms. I think a lot of people are still trying to

make up their minds.”

Andersen Principal Mary Manos could not be reached for comment.

The uniforms issue has been a hot topic throughout the district during

the school year. Several other schools are considering a uniform dress

code.

Kubat said she was unaware of any concerns among Andersen parents until

the revote was announced Thursday.

“A revote is fine with me,” Kubat said. “I just think it will affect the

ultimate vote.”