School Committee approves one-year uniform pilot at North Middle School

The Brockton School Committee on June 17 approved a one-year pilot of a student uniform program at North Middle School aimed at increasing a sense of belonging and reducing distractions.

Principal Lisonbee Ramsey told the committee the proposal follows three years of family surveys and outreach; she said 94% of families surveyed in spring 2025 supported a North pilot. "We surveyed families in their native languages," Ramsey said, and the spring survey specifically targeted families of students who would be enrolled at North next year.

Ramsey said proposed options include purple or gray tops and khaki, tan or black bottoms, with uniform tops available from Play It Again Sports and common retailers such as Walmart, Target and Old Navy. She estimated an average annual uniform cost of about $90 per child and described a funding plan that would use proceeds from a multicultural cookbook, Title I funds, McKinney-Vento and foster care supports, and grant-seeking to provide assistance to families in need. "Our McKinney Vento and foster care students will have their uniforms fully funded," Ramsey said.

Committee members asked about student feedback and financial burden. Ramsey responded that she had met with incoming sixth-graders and that many students whose elementary schools use uniforms "said, we love our uniforms." Vice Chair Tony Rodriguez and other members supported a one-year, non-mandatory pilot to allow families time to participate or opt out while staff collect data.

A motion to approve the pilot for one year was made by Mr. Sullivan and seconded by Mrs. Sullivan. The roll-call vote was: Missus Sullivan — yes; Mr. Gomes — yes; Mr. Vega — no; Mrs. Azak — yes; Mr. Sullivan — yes; Chair (Tony Rodriguez) — yes; Mrs. Oliver (remote) — yes. The motion passed 6–1.

Ramsey said, if the pilot is approved, the school would hold a vendor "fashion show" next week and an August open house where families can try on uniforms; she also said the school would operate a clothing closet for students who need replacements. After one year, Ramsey said she would return to the committee with survey results and a recommendation on continuing or modifying the policy.

Implementation details the committee heard include: the pilot would be recommended but not required in year one; uniform tops would be available with or without school logos; the district would seek grants and use cookbook proceeds to fund at least one uniform shirt for many incoming students; and Title I and McKinney-Vento programs would assist qualified families. The committee did not adopt a district-wide uniform policy — the vote authorized a one-year pilot at North only.

The committee also discussed how other Brockton schools use uniforms and noted that North's colors are purple, which shaped the proposed selection of tops. School leaders committed to monitoring academic and climate data during the pilot and reporting back to the committee.