“This bill would prohibit requiring school uniforms,” Representative Chris Broadwater of Hammond told the House Education Committee Wednesday. And he acknowledged it’s one of the most controversial bills he’s ever authored.
But there’s a backstory to the measure. It’s part of a practical lesson in civics.
“Each one of the 4th grade classes at Hammond Eastside Elementary Magnet came up with an idea, and then we invited all of those 4th grade classes to the Capitol,” Broadwater explained. “We filled up the House floor with 4th graders, and we debated each of their ideas. And this is the idea that emerged.”
The 4th graders, who had done their field trip to the Capitol December 10th, were in their classrooms Wednesday, watching the committee broadcast of the debate. Lawmakers treated it seriously, giving some background on Louisiana’s widespread embrace of school uniforms.
“I can remember the days when children were being beaten up for their name-brand tennis shoes,” said freshman legislator Beryl Amedee of Gray. “By instituting school uniforms, all you had left was your shoes, your jewelry, to set yourself apart. So a lot of the bullying settled down after school uniforms.”
Minden Representative Gene Reynolds explained, “The tipping point for the uniforms in my area was the Columbine disaster, where kids were killed because the weapons were being concealed with coats.”
Broadwater told the committee most of the students supported the ban on uniforms because they felt the clothing stifled their individuality and creativity. Yet, he said, a compassionate observation from one student touched him the most.
“One of the children noted there are a couple of students that oftentimes aren’t at school on Thursday or Friday. And they can only surmise that it’s because they have one school uniform, when their mom may not have a chance to wash those clothes till Saturday, when she goes to the laundromat.”
Acknowledging there was voluminous opposition from school boards, superintendents and prinicipals, Broadwater thanked the committee and voluntarily deferred the b