No School Uniforms For Bonners Ferry

Bonners Ferry Junior High School students won’t wear uniforms next fall, after all.

After teachers raised the possibility this winter, there was serious talk of the junior high becoming the first public school in the state to require uniforms. Principal Terry Servhen was among those who thought it would boost school pride and discipline. Some parents wanted to end the expensive competition among students to wear name-brand clothes.

But after surveying residents, Servhen decided against uniforms. While two-thirds of the 240 people who responded were in favor, the response wasn’t high enough, Servhen said Friday.

“We had some real strong support, but we didn’t have the numbers,” he said.

People were either apathetic or were too overwhelmed by more pressing issues facing the financially strapped school district, he said. Those include possible school closures and double-shifting, which could happen if an April 22 levy vote fails.

“One thing we did learn was that, bare minimum, the school and community are ready to at least tighten up the dress code,” Servhen said.

The changes, which may include a ban on gang-type attire, will be in place next fall, Servhen said.

, DataTimes