I oppose the bill.
Why?Unnecessary subsidies / expenses from something that shouldn't be a problem.
People should have the freedom to choose their clothes.
The government shouldn't intervene in school clothing.
I'm also against school uniforms, although i understand that this isn't about school uniforms.
My proposal:
thr33’s Lincoln School Clothing Subsidy Act
a bill to help students and students’ families financially in school clothing purchases
Section I: Surveying of Coats
1. Using census data, a cross section of 5 percent of all primary and secondary schools in Lincoln that is representative of the region will be randomly selected.
2. For each selected school, Lincoln officials will be placed on location for two weeks in the autumn to survey assess the distribution of costs and number of clothing items worn to school by students.
3. Lincoln will determine median annual outfit expenses based on the data gathered.
a. Each student is priced to have ten outfits, excluding outerwear and shoes, including undergarments (these costs will not observed obviously, but will be assessed from industry figures).
b. Of these ten, two will be geared for winter and two for summer. This includes two sweaters and one winter coat per student (outerwear is expected to last for two years, so the successive year's assessment will exclude this cost).
c. Three pairs of shoes (including one set of gym sneakers) will be included in the cost.
d. Two One gym outfits will be includinged in the cost.
e. The top 10% and bottom 30% of outfits in terms of the cost will not be part of assessment.
f. One swimming outfit will be included in the cost
4. The following formula will be utilized for determining clothing subsidies:
a. For each family, the number of primary and secondary students will be totaled (in both public and private schools).
b. 100% of clothing costs will be subsidized for those under 150% of the poverty line + the assessed annual cost for all students in the household from I.3.
c. 0% of clothing costs will be subsidized for those at or above 250% of the poverty line + the assessed annual cost for all students in the household from I.3.
d. For those between 150% and 250% of the poverty line plus costs, there will be a sliding linear scale.
e. For students in schools where uniforms are necessary, only the non-uniform elements (such as undergarments, gym clothes, outerwear, and sneakers) will be part of the assessment.
f. There will be hardship exemptions granted on a case-by-case basis for families with extraordinary school expenses (i.e. parents or other children attending college or university, families with sudden unexpected income changes not reflected in tax filings, etc.).
Section II: Payments
1. A regional website will be created where all families can check their eligibility.
2. Annual subsidies will be granted in the form of a nondiscript debit card mailed out no later than August 1 of the the summer preceding the next school year.
3. No information on individual students or families will be gathered, and no list of those receiving funding will be assembled or shared with districts or other public or private groups.
4. There will be no restrictions on where the card can be used.
5. If school staff notices that students are not properly dressed at school (with no knowledge of whether of not students are a part of the program), there will be a reporting website and hotline for them to inform the region so the family may be contacted to make sure outfits were purchased and are intact.
1. Costs for gym outfit, one pair of gym shoes and the swimming outfit won't be added to the yearly school bill, but will be fully subsizidized for everyone.
Section III: Implementation
1. Funding will be distributed beginning with the summer prior to the 2020-2021 school year.
Section IV: Enactment
1. This bill shall come into full effect immediately after being passed by this Council of Lincoln
