Los Lunas mid-schoolers no longer have to wear uniforms

LOS LUNAS—Los Lunas and Valencia middle school students will no longer be required to wear uniforms.

The Los Lunas Board of Education approved the change in dress code last week for the two middle schools after much discussion.

Sara Flynn, a parent of a student at Los Lunas Middle School, spoke in favor of the change during public comment. She created an unofficial online survey for parents of students at Los Lunas schools to fill out to see how many were in favor of the change.

“The biggest concern of the parents voting to abolish uniform dress code did so because of cost,” Flynn said.

Flynn said she spent almost $500 on uniforms because her child grew out of the original uniforms halfway through the year.

Los Lunas Superintendant Dana Sanders was in favor of the changes, siting the principals of both schools who brought up the issue of the dress code.

“We’re a little bit of a changing world,” Sanders said. “The genesis of these questions came from the principals … It doesn’t mean there’s not a dress code, it just means there’s not a uniform dress code.”

In preparation of this discussion, Sanders also sent out a survey to parents of students at both schools. The survey asked if parents were in favor of continuing the uniform dress code at their children’s respective schools.

Of the 560 respondents from Los Lunas Middle School, 456 parents said they were not in favor of continuing the uniform dress code, while 105 responded they were in favor of it.

Of the 283 respondents from Valencia Middle School, 236 parents said they were not in favor of continuing the uniform dress code, with 47 parents saying they were in favor of it.

“In the past, I’ve voted to support uniforms, but I’ve looked at the data provided to me — I’m really leaning in favor of against uniforms,” said board member Frank Otero.

Board members agreed there should be consistency between the two schools’ dress codes, and voted to approve the amendment suggestions to create continuity.

“It’s going to put a lot of pressure on the people that want this the most,” said board president Bryan Smith. “It’s going to be up to the parents to enforce the dress code.”

The changes to the student handbook were also made and posted on the Los Lunas Schools website.

Torn or sagging pants are not permitted, along with shirts that depict acts of violence, sex or gang affiliation.

Yoga pants and similar bottoms are not allowed unless they are covered by an “appropriate length” dress or shirt.

Students who are in violation of the dress code will be expected to change into appropriate attire, and will not be allowed to leave campus to change clothes.

Students who repeatedly violate the dress code may be suspended for up to 10 days. Sanders emphasized this course of action will only be used on “repeat offenders” of the dress code.

To view the full dress code for both middle schools, visit llschools.net.