HODGDON, Maine — Concerns over student safety have prompted a Hodgdon woman to start an online petition, seeking to change a long-standing policy at Hodgdon High School.
Angelina Jackman said Wednesday, March 29, that she became aware that the high school did not allow students to wear shoes when playing on the gymnasium floor during recess or lunch break, as well as before and after school, after a conversation she had with her child.
“We were told the reason kids are not allowed to wear shoes is because they [the school] wants to minimize damage to the gym floor,” she said.
Jackman said she started the online petition in an attempt to encourage the school district to alter its current policy, after her attempts to convince administrators to change their policy proved unsuccessful.
As of Friday morning, the online petition had 168 signatures and was shared 968 times on the social media site Facebook. Those signing the petition, however, do not have to be residents of Hodgdon.
According to SAD 70 Superintendent Scott Richardson, the district has a long-standing policy that prohibits students from wearing shoes on the high school’s gym floor during the optional recess and lunch periods.
“Footwear is not allowed on the high school gym floor during recess and lunch breaks — students must wear socks,” Richardson explained. “This rule has been in place at least 25 years or more. The intent is to decrease wear and tear. Everyday footwear tends to have dirt and debris from outside as well as from inside the building. The upkeep on the gym floor is a big expense to the school district.”
The policy only impacts the high school as Mill Pond School has a tile gym floor.
Jackman said she was concerned for students’ safety because running around on a gym floor in socks can lead to bodily injuries.
“Why are we putting a floor before kids?” Jackman said. “A lot of people I have spoken to have an issue with this [policy], but a lot of them are not willing to stand up and fight for it. This makes no sense.”
Richardson said he had been contacted by Jackman and has tried to address some of her concerns.
“Playing on the floor at lunch or recess is a choice of the student,” Richardson said. “There is a risk playing ball with or without footwear. The playing of ball at lunch and recess is very closely supervised to reduce overly aggressive interactions among the students.”
RSU 29 in Houlton does not allow students to use its gym floor during recess or lunchtime, according to Superintendent Ellen Schneider. “We don’t have recess in our gym with the wooden floor,” she said. “For school activities such as physical education, intramurals, or practices, students know they must wear sneakers.”
RSU 50 Superintendent Todd LeRoy said neither Southern Aroostook Community School, nor Katahdin Area High School has any policy that prohibits sneakers on their gym floors during recesses or lunch periods. He added those schools do not typically have students using their gyms outside of physical education classes.
East Grand School Superintendent Terry Comeau said his district also does not have any such policy. “The floor is re vanished every year and holds very well,” he added.
As of Friday, Jackman had not requested to speak to the SAD 70 board. Richardson said any parent that would like to address this — or any issue — is encouraged to attend a board meeting to voice their concerns. The next scheduled meeting is Monday, April 10, at 7 p.m.
Richardson said the school board could discuss the matter at this meeting, but at the moment it was not on the agenda.
“Many schools do not allow students to use their gym during lunch and recess,” Richardson said. “I am hoping that is not how we have to go, as the students really enjoy this opportunity.”
