As concerns grow about student conduct, Pittsburg and Antioch school officials are exploring whether their public high schools should become the first in the East Bay to adopt student uniforms.

For the past two years, parents at district committee meetings for English learners have raised concerns about attire at Pittsburg High School, including school safety and gang issues.

"The mentality has been, 'Uniforms were done in K-8, why not at the high school level?'," said Kirsten Wollenweber, Pittsburg High's assistant principal.

A subcommittee of parents, high school staff and some students has researched the pros and cons of uniforms after recommending they be considered.

"I would like for my granddaughter to grow up in a safe environment. It doesn't appear as relaxed as it should be," said Violet Elam, one of the researchers.

Children face a lot of peer pressure, including disputes over clothing, she said.

Other arguments in favor of uniforms include clothing costs, identifying those on campus who are not students, and the overall appearance of students and campus culture, Pittsburg High Principal Todd Whitmire said.

Last week, Wollenweber presented the subgroup's finding to the Pittsburg school board.

After some discussion, the board asked the group to conduct a survey of parents, teachers and students to gauge how many would be in favor of uniforms.

Antioch school trustees also have asked staff

Board President Walter Ruehlig said a September shooting outside Deer Valley High School while students were arriving at school was a wake-up call that something needs to be done to address safety.

"If they ever make sense, it's now. There's a strong argument that they would make everyone's life easier," he said.

Ruehlig anticipates the board will review the findings in February. Ruehlig said he would support uniforms unless "some valid proof or reasons are presented not to."

Pittsburg became the first school district in Contra Costa County to implement mandatory school uniforms from kindergarten through eighth grade in 2006, three years after starting a voluntary program for elementary schools. Parents can ask for exemptions under state law, though district officials say few do.

A number of public high schools nationwide require uniforms, including Wilson and Millikan high schools in Long Beach.

The uniforms helped change the "fashion show" atmosphere on campus, while creating a more comfortable environment conducive to learning, said Chris Eftyschio, a spokesman for the Long Beach district.

Attendance and college scholarships have increased while violence has decreased, although other measures implemented at the time also played a role, he said.

Pittsburg board members had varying opinions about the idea of high school uniforms. Trustee William Wong suggested the board establish guidelines and criteria and let the school decide.

Trustees Percy McGee and Joe Arenivar expressed reservations. McGee said high school was a time when he found himself and his "own eclectic style."

"I wouldn't want anyone impeding on me. I wouldn't want to restrict that," he said.

Erika So, student representative to the school board, suggested the board wait until after Pittsburg High goes to a closed campus when it opens its new school next year before deciding whether to proceed with uniforms. Pittsburg High students are required to carry ID badges and be able to present them.

All board members said much would depend on the results of the survey.

Many questions remain, including funding, campus enforcement and implementation, Wollenweber said.

Superintendent Barbara Wilson told the board it is unclear what impact uniforms would have on staff, though they would spend "an inordinate amount of time" enforcing the requirement — time that would be taken away from teaching students.

In Long Beach, the high school uniforms were implemented a grade at a time, Eftyschio said.

"It does take a lot of work at the outset," he said.

Reach Paul Burgarino at 925-779-7164. Follow him at Twitter.com/PittsBurgarino.