Othello P.E. uniform decision tabled

OTHELLO — Whether students at Othello High School should be required to wear physical education uniforms is a decision still to be made.

The school board tabled a decision on the issue, brought forth by physical education teachers and the Parent-Teacher Association.

"I support it," said board member Robert Wilson. "I think it's a good thing."

Other board members weren't so sure. Board member Stewart Hilmes questioned whether his daughter would be inappropriately dressed if she came into class wearing a gray shirt without the logo.

"Why force them to wear this exact shirt?" Hilmes asked.

A shorts and T-shirt set would cost $10 each. The Parent-Teacher Association would purchase the uniforms and then sell them at registration.

Physical education teacher Mandi Perez said other school districts in the area requiring uniforms include Moses Lake, Toppenish, Royal City and Ephrata.

"A big problem that we have at the high school right now is classroom management, keeping kids in class," Perez said.

Keeping students in class is extra challenging for physical education, where there are eight exits out of the gym and more students than a normal class, Perez said.

"If you saw a kid in the hallway with a uniform on, you know exactly where they're supposed to be," Perez said.

Appropriate attire is another issue facing the physical education department, she said. Time is taken away from class when she has to tell students to change into appropriate physical education clothes.

With 35 to 40 students in the gym at a time, sometimes a student can slide by teachers with the wrong clothing. The uniforms would help create consistency in enforcement, she said.

If a student doesn't suit up three times, then the next time they fail physical education, she said.

"This would solve so many problems for us as far as discipline, classroom management," she said.

Board member Benjamin Ruiz, Jr. said if some students refuse to suit up, how can the teachers make them wear a uniform?

Perez said right now, students can say they don't have clothes to wear for physical education and she is unable to do much about it.