Tue, 10/11/2022 - 06:51 pm

SUSAN JOHNS

File photo

Wiscasset Middle High School Principal Charles Lomonte apologized to the seniors and other students Tuesday night, Oct. 11, after they said girls were turned away from last Friday night’s homecoming dance for wearing dresses that showed their shoulders.

In the school committee meeting at the school library and carried over Zoom, Lomonte took responsibility for the incident he called a mistake; and he invited the student council to organize another homecoming dance.

He and other speakers voiced pride in students’ courage and strength in speaking up at the meeting and otherwise handling the matter.

Chair Jason Putnam told attendees at the outset, he really appreciated them being there, and the committee wanted to hear what they had to say. Longtime staff member and longtime student council advisor Deb Pooler told the committee she witnessed the student council having an amazing, intelligent conversation earlier that day about what happened at the dance.

Students and other speakers told the school committee the incident over the dress code was sexist, hurt girls’ views of themselves, their bodies and school, wasted families’ money and plans that went into the dresses and the night, and had students leaving in tears, texting their parents and telling fellow students not to bother going in as they, too, would be turned away.

Addressing students, Lomonte said, “None of you did anything wrong. I need for you to know that, coming from your principal (and) I’m deeply sorry that you felt the way you did ... After reviewing the policy again, I feel like we made a mistake and I’m really sorry for that.”

The dress code, provided to Wiscasset Newspaper on request and available at wiscassetschools.org, states in part, restrictions shall be enforced on “Any type of attire which attracts undue attention to the wearer or is in poor taste, thus could cause disturbances in the school.” The code states principals “may give exceptions to the dress code for special occasions.”

Pooler said in text replies to questions after the meeting, the student council would discuss the offer of another dance and she “will support the kids in what they choose to do ... I am so proud of the kids and the strength they each showed tonight,” she added.

School Resource Officer Jonathan Barnes said he was at the dance, “not in a police role” but continuing to build relationships. Students “handled themselves appropriately ... kept themselves in check, composed themselves and found out there was an avenue here ... in a public forum ...”

Committee member Desiree Bailey told Barnes she has heard praise for his efforts this school year, such as on matters involving parents and on ensuring respect in the hallway.

Also Oct. 11, Lomonte and senior Nicole Edgecomb announced her acceptance into an Air Force program that will have her inspecting planes; Superintendent of Schools Robert “Bob” England Jr. and Wiscasset Elementary School Principal Kathleen Pastore said plans that emerge from Wednesday early release sessions are getting classroom use as soon as the next day; Pastore and WMHS Assistant Principal Warren Cossette praised the trips to Chewonki Foundation for students to learn about farming, the ecosystem and more; the committee nominated member Indriani Demers as a Maine School Board Association delegate and regional delegate; and Special Education Director Andrea Lovell said students are learning resume-writing and other job-seeking skills.

Hires approved besides Lovell’s were Amanda Dimauro, van driver; Carol Small, custodian; and Carly Bourque, pre-K teacher. And the committee accepted with regret Pam Kilborn’s resignation as a WES educational technician.