CEDAR LAKE | Some high school girls and their parents are upset about a ban on purses in the classroom that was imposed when school began last week at Hanover Central High School.

But some School Board members say the no-purses rule was in place long before newly appointed Principal Robert McRae started enforcing it this school year, and they intend to stand behind him.

Board President Patricia Kocot said Monday she was told by some female Hanover students that the purse ban was on the books for at least a year.

"I guess Bob McRae decided it was worth enforcing," Kocot said.

It's a policy that has not been discussed by the board, and she had not talked to McRae on the subject, she said.

Board member Mary Joan Dickson said, "It is a policy. It's in the handbook. If someone has an issue with it, then bring it to the School Board."

"I support Mr. McRae because he is doing his job," Dickson said.

On Tuesday, McRae said he had enforced the purse ban last year as the Hanover Middle School principal, and he "rolled it over" into the high school this year when he assumed the principal post there.

"The girls can have purses. We just ask them to keep them in their lockers," McRae said.

Some middle school girls were carrying over-the-shoulder purses that were almost like book bags last year before he started enforcing the ban, he said.

"It's a safety and security issue," McRae said.

For example, canine drug searches are done of the lockers only, he said.

"It's a post-Columbine time," he said.

No incidents prompted his decision to enforce the policy, he said.

Kocot said Monday she would not ask the board to review the policy until after talking with McRae.

Janet Brennan said she intends to attend the next board meeting Sept. 8 and ask about the no-purses policy. She said she does not believe that purses pose a safety issue as McRae suggests.

"This is an overreaction to a situation that doesn't exist," said Brennan, the mother of a 15-year-old Hanover sophomore girl.

Brennan said the ban discriminates against the female students.

McRae said the high school and middle school policies allow pencil cases to be carried by students, which should be able to handle personal needs.

McRae is currently the sole administrator over the 1,000 students in the high school and middle school.