NEWINGTON, Conn. -- Parents said a proposal for school uniforms in Newington was sudden and unexpected at a meeting with the Board of Education on Tuesday night.

Dozens of parents attended the meeting at Wallace Middle School. Many parents demanded a reason for the proposal.

"I'm concerned, because we don't understand the reason why," one parent said.

Parents said they were concerned about the stigma of uniforms, which are worn in many urban schools.

"I feel that as a school system, you're sending out the wrong message," Beth Dumais said.

If the proposal passes, Newington would be the first suburban school system to have uniforms. Right now, students in Waterbury, New Britain and Hartford wear uniforms.

But Nancy Petronio of the Board of Education said the board is also looking at the dress code.

"A couple of parents have asked us to look at the dress code and look at the possibility of school uniforms, but it seems that everyone focused right on school uniforms," she said. "Everyone zoomed right in on the uniform aspect."

The uniform proposal has caused a stir among parents and students in Newington.

Student Kelsey Cronin said she has heard a lot about it.

"But you know, some kids are a little bit for it, and some are like completely against it," she said.

Some parents said they supported a stricter dress code instead of uniforms, one that bans flip-flops and baggy pants.

But not all people are opposed to the idea of uniforms.

"I don't mind," J.C. Perkins said. "Kids are different. Just like here, this is America -- everyone is supposed to be different."

Her son, second-grader D.J. Perkins, also said he won't mind wearing a uniform.

"If it's our school uniform, fine. If I really have to wear it, then that's OK," he said.

Cronin said school "is tough" and uniforms might be able to help.

"It's hard to fit in, and sometimes some people are materialistic," she said. "And if we all wore the same things, it might not be so judgmental anymore."

The next step in the debate will be private. The Board of Education will decide whether to tighten the current dress code or move forward with the uniform proposal in a closed meeting.