Dear Editor:

For several school terms, a dress code has been an issue at the Palmerton Area School District. News articles have reported on the view points of students, parents, teachers, administrators and school board members. Maybe it's time to hear from the people supplying the money - the taxpayers!The school board, in an effort to balance all viewpoints, has allowed the issue to drag on for a length of time that now appears painful. After months of special committees with representation of different factors, "tweaking" of the policies, reviews of the policies, and then notification to everyone involved, the article in the Sept. 21, TIMES NEWS indicates that so many questions remain that a special meeting (indeed almost an "emergency meeting") will be held within two weeks regarding the dress code. Let me be as clear as possible as a tax payer: stop the nonsense and institute a program with uniforms!As taxpayers in the Palmerton School District, we experienced a 12-1/2 percent tax increase this year and we know this is not the end of financial struggles at our school district or others nationwide.A large portion of that tax money is funding professional, educated talented teachers and administrators. It is hard to imagine the time, effort and resources of these professionals (equaling money) that is used each day for each class in reviewing the many items on the dress code list that is in violation. What a waste of valuable time that should be dedicated to teaching!Please school board members - end the nonsense and institute a program requiring school uniforms.Louise CalvinPalmerton