Fort Lee always took pride in their uniforms. This is sinful. Approprate the money, look for donations and let the kids do the rest. GO Orange & Black!!!

Pam (Gorman) Tagliareni FLHS Class of 1962

A little self serving of Ms. Morrrell to ask for new Color Guard uniforms considering her son is a member of it .

Robert, is she asking for just one unifrom? The sports teams are in the same boat so just beacuse my kid plays should I not ask for new uniforms?

No what you should do is excuse yourself from the vote if you are on the Board. The issue with the Color Guard uniforms is that they do not have one for her son and not that the others are in disrepair .

@Robert,

You are correct. If I'm Holly, I would let the other Board members handle it since there's a conflict of interest.

I would like to make things clear because there seems to be a confusion with what the situation is regarding color guard and Ms.Morell. First off, Ms. Morell nor has any other board member voted on anything pertaining to this topic yet, the vote is being held next week on March 28th 2013, which Ms. Morell would surely know to obstain from voting on. Second the issue is not, and I repeat, is not that Ms. Morell's son doesn't have a uniform, (although true that he doesn't) the issue is that the band as a whole has had the same uniforms for 20 years and the color guard doesn't have uniforms at all. The "uniforms" that have been used for the past two years have either been hand made by band mothers or bought as halloween costumes from party city. This is shameful. The entire color guard is currently without uniform and without fund to buy new ones. Next year's color guard squad will be of a much larger size, about 15-18 students, consisting of 4 boys and 11-14 girls. The fact these students have made it this long without proper uniforms is a miracle itself. Personally I believe before one should critize and even scrutinize a specific topic, one should know what the actual conflict is based off of solid facts.

Although the issue of replacing aging intruments was briefly raised (lease, lease to buy, buy) the immediate and primary focus of the discussion was on purchasing uniforms for the Band and Color Guard. Board President Jimmy Park said that $22,645 may not even cover the entirety of the uniform needs if the BOE approves the money to be allocated towards this effort.

The problem with this town is that we never really fix anything properly. Instead of allocating money to buy some uniforms find out how much it will cost to our purchase all new uniforms. Then the problem is fixed . Maybe do it over 2 years. Hard to figure out the solution when we do not know the total funds that would be needed to do this.

Maybe it is time for the community members to pitch in. If concerned parents all kicked in $ 20 each, we could help the cause. Waiting for the BOE to act on issues is frustrating. Recently, a group of concerned citizens raised $ 2000 for a new ice machine for the Middle School because the BOE could not or would not include it in their budget. Now kids have ice for injuries and cold drinks. Why can't we do the same for the band and the color guard.

Pissing and moaning about the BOE is not going to get it done.

I think the band should get even more creative and join with the art classes to jazz up the old uniforms to stand out and be proud of 30 years of worn history. How much fun and real hands on learning that venture could be.
New uniforms are good too.
Please post a picture of the uniform.

Carol,
As much as I enjoy reading your opinions, I think these uniforms have reached the end of their useful lives. They have already had over ten years of band-aids and bubblegum. And as noted there are no longer any color guard uniforms at all.
I watched our band compete this past year and noted how ragtag and out of date they looked. I hope the BOE seriously looks at providing new uniforms in the 2013-2014 school year.

Hey Art,
Thanks. I was just doing dishes and asking myself why did I respond to this issue in a negative light. I think firstly I wondered why the situation was urgent and parents are pleading for new uniforms. It made me wonder about the history of requesting and why uniforms have been denied all these years. I've been to many meetings in which parents complain that there is no curriculum, and sometimes not enough outdated books to go around.The tone of the article or meeting had that entitlement feeling. Washing dishes, a moment ago, I remembered my late brother Bill who was in the school band and traveled abroad with The Young Tulsan's were in perfect condition. I did not connect the plight of the Fort Lee Band to him but still wondered why I reacted to the story as I thought had nothing to do with me.
Who can explain? I do know the the High School Band is wonderful for students and families alike. I felt enormous pride for my brother who played in the High School band. I understand just how important their clothing should reflect their feeling of pride and hard work. I still think dressing down in this economy reflects a good message, livening up the old clothes or wearing basic black pants and orange t shirts with logo would be outside the traditional apparel but my be an investment in the student's outlook. I support whatever they need. I was turned off by "pleading" for uniforms seemingly out of nowhere hit a dormant nerve of remembrance and loss.