Town of Webb Union Free School Superintendent responds to cap and gown controversy

OLD FORGE- A local controversy has sparked in the Western Adirondacks involving traditions and caps and gowns for graduation.

For as many years as several sources say they can remember, Town of Webb Union Free School district has observed their commencement ceremonies under this following cap and gown tradition - the men wear maroon and the women wear white.

It is a common trend, as countless other districts seem to have done the same with their school colors for decades.   

However, it appears that tradition broke this year for the 2026 graduating class at Town of Webb.

Several parents in the district region have all said that the entire graduating class would instead be wearing maroon colored caps and gowns. 

Many of these same sources have all claimed that when students approached the administration to try and state their case to keep tradition, their efforts were apparently shot down. 

However, when it was time for commencement on Thursday, June 18, the seven graduating women in the class had all purchased their own white colored caps and gowns to wear for the ceremony.

"I think the students simply wanted to carry out a long standing tradition," said Chuck Robinson, whose daughter, Emily, was among the graduating class of 2026. 

"They wanted to graduate as, maybe, older siblings before them did and in some cases parents before them." 

In summary, Robinson says he believes this case is the result from the way society is being politically driven in today's world, but not necessarily at the local level, but rather at the state level. 

In the wake of this year's Town of Webb commencement ceremony, all seven alumnae were reportedly threatened with disciplinary action, including possible suspension, for alleged insubordination after choosing to wear their white caps and gowns, according to families with knowledge of the matter.   

To clarify, it appears as if the commencement ceremony went on without any disruptions and nothing was brought up during the ceremony, according to Melissa Wilde, whose daughter, Stella, was also among the graduating class. 

However, the so called claims of possible disciplinary action surfaced after graduation was observed. In fact, Wilde claims this following statement below was received by her daughter and her senior friends, from the school district, on Monday, June 22, after the commencement ceremony had already occurred: 

"Good Morning,

On May 20th, 2026 you were informed that the school dress code for graduation was a Maroon Gown and Maroon Cap signifying unity and being this year's District approved attire. Your child was given many other options to express their individuality. On June 18th your daughter received a referral for insubordination for wearing unapproved attire to the District graduation ceremony including a tassel, cap, gown and honorary cord. Mr. Swick met with your child to notify them at 8am this morning that upon returning from their PE final they were to meet with the District and himself to discuss to which your child did not return to.

In reference to the insubordination per the District Code of Conduct pg 12 suspension would normally be the punishment for such a behavior.

The District is willing to modify the punishment to a 2 hr Detention so long as it is served before Thursday June 25th at 12pm.

Please reach out to Mr. Swick or the Main office to establish the 2hr time period that will be served."

As stated in the message above, the district appears to instruct all seven alumnae to serve a detention as an alternative for the claims of insubordination, but as also referenced in the same message, it is pointed out how the alumnae did not report to meet with the district over the matter. 

With that said, New York State Education Law specifically reads: "Under New York State Education Law, a superintendent generally cannot suspend a student after they have officially graduated. Once a student receives their diploma and the district marks them as graduated, they are no longer subject to compulsory attendance or the district's disciplinary jurisdiction."

Here is a provided screenshot of the apparent response from the District Superintendent, Jennifer Dunn:

In a separate report, School Superintendent Dunn stated how the gowns are indeed not a policy, but rather were issued this year as uniform (think sports and school uniforms). 

While emphasizing the tremendous accomplishments the entire class has achieved as a whole, Superintendent Dunn issued this following statement on behalf of the school district:

"The Town of Webb UFSD would like to express their congratulations to the Class of 2026 and want them to recognize that they should be proud of all of their awards, accomplishments and accolades to being productive citizens and members of the workforce, collegiate world and professional careers.

The Town of Webb UFSD supports being a unified group of individuals and wants to ensure that the multi-year decision to exemplify the unity of the Timberwolves was made after multiple discussions with various stakeholders, a Strategic Plan, and new Vision/Mission statement that came after the mandated change of their mascot.

The Town of Webb UFSD continues to stand by their Board of Education Policies, Procedures, Code of Conduct and NYS’s Dignity for all Students Act, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and relies on the guidelines of the NYS Department of Education’s Culturally Responsive & Sustaining Education Framework of ensuring equality without disparity of any one protected class, and are proud of the individualization recognition each student has demonstrated through their accomplishments and achievements."

Town of Webb UFS image.