Q & A

Anaheim Union High School District Trustee Katherine H. Smith

Persuading officials of Anaheim Union High School District to adopt a school uniform policy has been Katherine H. Smith’s goal for more than five years. Now, the first-term district trustee has initiated discussion in the district about a dress policy and hopes to have students in uniforms before her four-year term is up. Smith, 56, spoke with Times correspondent Jennifer Leuer recently about her views and priorities.

Q: How would putting students in school uniforms benefit the district?

A: I was the one who started the movement when the crime and graffiti and extraordinary problems developed in this community and throughout the country. As a citizen observer, I thought school uniforms were probably one of the best things we could do. I’ve always felt that dress changes behavior. During our travels, my husband and I had our kids wear suits and ties, and they behaved. There are some very simple ideas that can bring about great change. I know it will raise test scores, reduce violence and other problems in our district. The need now is to get the parents to understand why this is so important.

Q: What other changes would you like to see the district make?

A: Schools have had to take on so many burdens that we have lost the mission of what schools were created for. If I do anything, I want to bring back responsibility and accountability of parents. I would like to see us get back to a country that, if you have problems providing for your children, then we want to help you search out those programs in the community that can help you. But the schools must stick to the mission of education. If we start shifting the budgets away from social programs, like serving breakfasts and lunches, and bring the basics back, I think we’ll get to a more healthy, stable society.

Q: What basics would you like to see restored?

A: I want to be one of the people to bring common sense back to education. I think a performing arts high school is one of the things we need to do. We need to bring the basics back, but we also need to educate all children. I had to take my kids out of the public school system because I was totally frustrated trying to help them with their New Math homework. Yes, we’ve got to incorporate all concepts, but to do it like whole language when we dropped phonics is like driving a stake into a child’s brain.