5 of 6 southwest Florida charter schools will require teachers, staff and administrators to wear uniforms this year along with the existing student uniform policy.  School officials say the idea is to create a professional learning environment that encourages students and teachers to focus on the task at hand, rather than what others are wearing.

“It shows camaraderie and school spirit,” said Cape Coral Charter Principal Deborah Nauss. “There also is the security of it. There is no doubt if they are an employee of the school.”

The charter schools are requiring employees to adopt the same style uniforms policy their students wear. Furthermore, employees must purchase uniforms (button-down or polo-style shirts displaying the school logo, along with pants or skirts) through the same company at a cost of $30 to $50 per shirt. 24 public schools in the Lee County School District have enacted mandatory uniform policies for students. Although bus drivers, maintenance workers and other school staff members wear uniforms, there is no formal policy on teacher attire.

Among the schools kicking off the school year in August with full-fledged uniforms are: Bonita Springs Charter, Cape Charter and Six Mile Charter Academy; Gateway Charter and Gateway Charter High’s mandatory employee uniform policy will begin in January.