FARRELL SCHOOLS Administrators consider requiring uniforms

One principal said the Philadelphia school system requires uniforms at the elementary level.
FARRELL, Pa. -- Some Farrell Area School District administrators think it would be a good idea to require pupils to wear a school uniform.
Elementary principal Steve Gurrera presented the idea to the school board during his monthly status report.
He and assistant principal Carole Borkowski think it would help solve discipline problems.
"Fifty percent of our discipline problem is clothes," Gurrera told the board Monday, explaining some pupils pick on others because of the clothes they wear.
It would be better for a parent to spend money on a couple of school uniforms than to pay high prices for a pair of designer jeans, he said.
Idea
Gurrera said he was in Philadelphia recently and learned that the elementary schools there require uniforms. Philadelphia's system is working, he said.
Charles Sanitate, high school principal, said the idea has been considered before.
"I lean toward it," he told the board.
Superintendent Richard Rubano said that if the district is to consider the plan, it must bring pupils, parents, faculty and the district's school steering committee into the discussions.
"I think it's a good idea myself," said School Director Lester Robinson.
Rubano said he will set up a meeting with district administrators to begin discussing the idea.