Tulsa Booker T Washington Students Continue Fight Against Uniform Policy

Some Booker T Washington students say they did everything they could to convince the school board not to require school uniforms.

Despite the protest, all Tulsa High Schools will have to wear them starting next year. But some students say they aren't giving up.

02/06/2012 Related Story: School Board Approves Uniform Policy For All Tulsa High Schools Amid Protest

A Booker T Washington teacher says he knows that uniforms can help stop bullying and a number of other issues. But he says at Booker T "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

A uniform policy on uniforms, that's what social studies teacher John Waldron calls the controversial decision.

"I don't think we need a blanket policy. We should consider what the local conditions are. I'm not sure uniforms are a case of one size fits all," Waldron said.

Waldron says he teaches his students about democracy. He's proud that the teens stood up for what they believed in--even if the outcome wasn't in their favor.

"I feel like they are just writing us off. Like you are kids so you don't understand so we're making this decision without your input," said BTW Junior Zoe Sherman.

"I think it's hard to say what we are going to do now. We tried everything: We petitioned; we did the protest; we went to the meetings; People spoke at the meetings. We did everything legally and fairly and they didn't listen," said BTW Junior Grace Cuellar.

The students say they come from all over the city to go to school and express themselves in the Booker T setting.

"We have a lot of freedom for students to define themselves. That becomes harder if we make decisions for them," Waldon said.

But they insist it isn't about just their school.

"It's not that we feel Booker T is unique, it's just that every school is different. Every school has their own needs," said BTW Junior Michael Rutter.

The students say they'll follow the rules. But they think if the district wants uniforms, it should pay for them.

"I don't think they can provide it for everyone because I don't think they can. And they should be able to when they enforce a policy like this on a public school," said BTW student Natalie Mulkey.

The students want the school board to consider uniforms on a case by case basis, not just for Booker T, but for all high schools.