A Texas superintendent doubled down on the district’s decision to punish a black student who wore dreadlocks for violating its dress code even after facing litigation.
Barbers Hill Independent School District Superintendent Greg Poole took out a full-page ad on January 14 in the Houston Chronicle to defend the suspension of a student for having excessively long hair. He said districts with traditional dress code are safer and achieve higher academic performance.
“We will not lose sight of the ultimate goal — high standards for our students — by bowing to political pressure or responding to misinformed media reports. These entities have ‘less’ goals that ultimately harm children,” Poole wrote.
One particular part of the ad that caused outrage was when Poole insisted “being American requires conformity.”
“Our military academies… maintain strict expectations for dress. They realize being an American entails conforming to the positive benefits of unity, and being a part of something bigger than yourself,” Poole said.
Former Obama Department of Education secretary Arne Duncan responded to the story at X, saying, “Dear School Board: Please do your job and fire this superintendent.”
Greg Poole is the superintendent of the Barbers Hill Independent School District. Fox News Digital
The district alleges high school student Darryl George’s, 18, twisted dreadlocks violated a policy limiting hair length for male students. The district said other students with locs are in compliance with the length policy.
“We have African-American students with hair longer than our dress code permits. They apply, qualify, and are granted religious exemptions… Criticism from… the media is based on the assumption that the school district is holding on to outdated values or social norms, but academic excellence never goes out of style,” Poole said in the ad. .
The student, on the other hand, said he felt depressed and disappointed at what he saw as an unfair punishment. She argued that the way her hair was styled – tied and twisted on top of her head – could not be considered a violation of the hair length policy.
The district alleges high school student Darryl George’s, 18, twisted dreadlocks violated a policy limiting hair length for male students. NBC News
A hearing is set for Feb. 22 to determine whether the district’s dress code restrictions violate the CROWN Act. The new Texas law, which took effect in September, prohibits hair discrimination based on race and prevents employers and schools from punishing people for hair texture or protective hairstyles including Afros, braids, dreadlocks, twists or Bantu knots.
“I’m glad we were heard too. I’m glad things are moving, and we’re getting through it,” George said of the litigation moving forward.
“I have a son, 18 years old, who wants to go to school, who wants to get his education, and you guys are messing with him. Why?” the student’s mother, Darresha George, said.
“His grade is failing. They went down drastically,” his mother told NBC News in September. “He didn’t get the education he deserved.”
A hearing is set for Feb. 22 to determine whether the district’s dress code restrictions violate the CROWN Act. Barbers Hill Independent School District
In an affidavit filed in the case by the plaintiff, George argued that he was subjected to “brutal treatment.”
“I love my hair, it’s sacred, and it’s my strength,” George wrote. “All I want to do is go to school and be a model student. I was harassed by school officials and treated like a dog.”
The superintendent did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
