Board Meeting To Consider Mandatory School Uniforms

LAS CRUCES, NM – An emergency meeting of the Gadsden School Board tonight will debate whether or not to implement a mandatory school uniform requirement for students.

The meeting is being held as a result of a school principal’s effort to get students into uniforms and out of trouble.

Gadsden Middle School Principal David Garcia tells ABC-7 the uniforms will help curb gang problems at the school and keep students focused on their schoolwork.

“Safety is the main concern. As a parent, I know I’d want my child to be safe…you’ve been hearing about the many problems we’ve had in the community with gangs and gang related violence…I do not want that to spill into the classroom,” said Garcia.

In order for a measure such as the one being proposed by Garcia to be put into effect, 75% of district parents must turn out for a vote and 66% of those that votehave to vote in favor of the measure.

Garcia is hoping the district’s board will rule to bypass that requirement at tonight’s meeting. If the board accepts Garcia’s request, district students will be in school uniforms when their school year starts next Monday. The board can deny Garcia’s request and call for a vote.

“It’s time for us to pull our head out of the sand and realize there is a problem…we need to realize we can stop it from progressing,” said Leticia Myers, a teacher at Gadsden Middle School.