Mother Charlotte Nijenhuis tells the Courier News of Bridgewater she spoke to the Readington Middle School principal, who told her such dresses distract boys.
Nijenhuis says it's neither a woman's nor a girl's responsibility to control a man's or boy's behavior.
Melissa May says she would not allow her daughter to wear something that she felt was inappropriate.
Parents and students packed Tuesday night's school board meeting to give the superintendent an earful. They say the principal banned strapless dresses because she says it's a distraction for the boys and inappropriate for this age group. Some say that they should just let parents do the parenting.
"This is new. We haven't seen this in the last 6 years. They've always been permitted to wear strapless dresses," said parent Charlotte Nijenhuis.
Principal Sharon Moffet had no comment for Eyewitness News, but some parents defended her decision.
"My dress is modest. It's not revealing whatsoever. I don't want to waste my money just because I bought a dress that doesn't have straps," said student Rachel Griffin.
"It's not about a dress code, it's about respecting authority. This is what they decided to do, do it," said parent Philip Ritter.
In the end, board members agreed they will over the dress code and consider students and parents opinions when they make a final decision.
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