January 26, 2024
Houston Superintendent Takes Out Full-Page Ad Defending Suspension Of Student For Wearing Locs
The student and his family are suing the school district for violating the CROWN Act.
The superintendent of Barbers Hill School District in Texas is taking defense to a new level. Greg Poole took out a full-page ad defending the decision to suspend student Darryl George, claiming his locs hairstyle violated the school dress code, The Messenger reported.
“Being an American requires conformity with the positive benefit of unity,” Poole wrote while referencing strict regulations at military academies. “We have taken the highly unusual step of seeking a declaratory judgment in state district court to verify our interpretation.”
His letter continued alleging George and his family moved from a district that allowed longer hair and had to sign an agreement to follow district rules. “Ultimately, this is an issue of local control and deciding who should be setting the policies, goals and expectations of our school district,” Poole wrote.
However, George isn’t backing down either. According to NBC News, after he and his family filed a lawsuit alleging his punishment for wearing locs violates the CROWN Act; the case is now set to go to trial. Administrators at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, TX, claim George violated the district dress code that limits hair length for boys. The Georges allude to racial discrimination as the issue.
The CROWN Act, passed in Texas in September 2023, prevents schools from discriminating against hairstyles based on hair texture and styles, such as braids, dreadlocks, Bantu knots, and more. It also prohibits race-based hair discrimination in schools.
The high school junior has been receiving his education, sitting in-school suspension or at an off-site disciplinary program since Aug. 31, 2023. The 18-year-old says he feels frustrated over what he describes as unfair punishment, but is looking forward to his day in court. “I’m glad that we are being heard, too. I’m glad that things are moving and we’re getting through this,” George said.
The trial date has been set for Feb. 22 by State District Judge Chap Cain III. George’s mother, Darresha, says she is disappointed the judge didn’t grant a temporary restraining order, which would have paused the punishment.
“I have a son, 18 years old, that wants to go to school, that wants to get his education, and y’all messing with him,” she said. “Why?”
RELATED CONTENT: Black Student Suspended Over Locs; School Says It’s the Dress Code, Not Racial Discrimination