Hats-off policy upsets students

OAKLAND — What once was considered good manners — taking one’s hat off indoors — is now official policy at Messalonskee High School, and it’s causing a stir.

Principal Carroll Thompson imposed the policy to promote etiquette and decorum, but some students see it as an intrusion on their free-speech rights and fashion values.

Most students “feel they should be able to wear what they want to wear,” said Ally Nye, the junior class treasurer.

“I don’t wear hats all the time, but when I do it’s just a part of my wardrobe,” said junior Rachel Cooper.

Messalonskee’s dress code in otherwise fairly liberal, allowing any fashion as long as it is in good taste. Shirts with profane messages and underwear worn as outerwear are banned.

The disgruntled students have taken their complaint to the 16-member student council, which discussed the matter with Thompson at its regular meeting Wednesday night.

Some council members suggested a compromise in which teachers would set their own policies for each class, Nye said. Thompson, who commended the students for working through the student council, said administrators are weighing the students’ arguments and will make a decision soon.

The principal predicted the controversy will “blow over when students start worrying more about academics than the dress code.”