Cleveland cuts subsidy for school uniforms

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cleveland schools will stop subsidizing the purchase of required student uniforms in an effort to cut costs.

The district, which is facing a $54 million deficit, says it won’t continue last year’s plan of giving out $375,000 in uniform subsidies.

Some 7,500 students received $50 vouchers— good for two shirts, two skirts or pairs of pants, a belt and a sweater.

Cleveland schools are hoping that contributions from the community will help needy families pay for school uniforms.

The district started to require uniforms in elementary schools in 2007 and in high schools last year.