Andersen parents not in uniform

Danette Goulet

NEWPORT BEACH -- The debate over uniforms at Andersen Elementary School

died without a resolution Friday, when fewer than the required number of

parents voted on the issue.

In order to change policy, 70% of the families with children enrolled at

Andersen needed to cast their ballots last week. The vote fell short by a

mere 20 responses.

“We didn’t reach quorum,” said Mary Manos, principal at Andersen. “We

have 320 families, so we needed 224 [votes] and we had 204 respond. Of

that, we would have needed 75% to vote yes to pass [a uniform policy].”

It was the second time Andersen parents were asked to vote on the issue.

The first set of ballots was set aside three weeks ago after a small

group of parents complained that the vote was tainted.

Friday’s non-result may end discussions for this year, but the topic will

be raised again, said PTA president Lockie Russell.

“I guess we’ll try again next year,” Russell said. “In the meantime,

there was definitely enough interest to better enforce the existing dress

code.”

The school does not have too many problems with dress code compliance,

Manos said. The main problem is with safety on playgrounds, with students

wearing open-toe shoes or popular platform shoes.

“It will be brought up again in the fall, but right now we’re just going

to enforce the current district dress standards,” Manos said. “We haven’t

had a problem here. Maybe that’s why the voting wasn’t as strong.”

Three other Newport Beach elementary schools are considering the issue

with plans to vote in the upcoming months.

Ballots will be mailed home to Mariners Elementary School parents on

Friday, said Peggy McKennon, uniform committee chairwoman for Mariners.

Parents will be given about a week to cast their votes.

For parents whose children will be attending Newport Coast Elementary

School this fall, ballots are due at the district by Friday.