CHICAGO (AFP) — Four Texas teens were suspended from school Tuesday for refusing to get their hair cut over the Christmas break, school officials said.
The students had been warned that the district was cracking down on dress code violators after they repeatedly let their locks loose on school grounds.
"Our policy states that the hair (on male students) cannot extend beyond the collar in the back," said Kevin Stanford, superintendent of the Kerens Independent School District.
"What we were doing is allowing the students to bind their hair, but there was very inconsistent compliance."
After several complaints from parents in the small rural town south of Dallas, school officials decided to eliminate the hair-binding loophole. Students were told to go to the barber over break or face the consequences.
"I don't know exactly what the students are going to - the ball's in their court," Stanford told AFP.
"Persistent insubordination could go as far as a disciplinary alternative school placement. That's the worst case."
Strict dress codes are common in Texas, Stanford said, and have been upheld by challenges which went as far as the Texas Supreme Court.
Students at Kerens high school are also prohibited from wearing sleeveless shirts, excessively tight or baggy pants, mismatched socks, "disruptive hair styles" and "unnatural" hair colors, according to an 86-page student handbook.
"The Kerens ISD dress code promotes the effective personal presentation skills which contribute significantly to successful living in adult society," the handbook explained. "The district's dress code is established to teach hygiene, instill discipline, prevent disruption, avoid safety hazards, and teach respect for authority."
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