|
|
|
Updated: 11:21 PM May 27, 2009
Haircut Controversy at Labette Co. School
Labette Co. school officials didn't like 6-year old Derby McReynolds "faux-hawk" or the military cut that followed, so they shaved his head - his parents say without their permission.
Posted: 11:01 PM May 27, 2009Reporter: KOAM-TV |
|
9 Comments 
Map 
A southeast Kansas boy is sporting a shaved head. It's not by his choice, but his school's.
Six-year old Derby McReynolds had his hair cut in a "faux-hawk." His parents say Labette County school officials told them it was inappropriate and sent him home, so they changed it to what they called a military cut.
The school still didn't like it and had a staff member who was licensed to cut hair shaved Derby's head. His parents said the action was taken without their permission.
Derby's father, Jesten McReynolds, says they let students have various shapes in their hair the rest of the year that could draw just as much attention. He and other family members said it seems unfair they won't let him wear his hair how he wants. They're also upset the shaving was done without their permissions.
Superintendent Chuck Stockton is supporting the school principal's decision. He says the school district is always trying to balance a student's individual rights of expression with the expectations of the building of each of the teachers of parents of other students.
Stockton says the district sets its expectations based on the community's idea of the norm.
Latest Comments
I have a 4yr old who does care about his own freedom of expression. He sports what he calls a rockstar haircut to school and as it should be education takes precedence and the hairstyle is left alone. Unless the school has a policy banning specific haircuts or grooming procedures the principle and superintendent do not have a leg to stand on. The school board should sever their contracts with both of these administrators and show that education is more important than a students choice of haircuts. The parents should take action against these school employees for not having permission to do the procedure and for implementing their own school policy.
First off, its the parents who allowed the gawd-awful mohawk!! As for the school shaving his head, that is wrong, I would raise holy hell...
Jack it is you who misses the point. A public school funded by taxpayer money has absolutely no right to tell said tax payers how their kids can wear their hair and the definitely have no right to cut it themselves. What they did was not only irresponsible and incompetent but it is close to criminal. I can tell you from personal experience with the man that Chuck Stockton has no place in the field of education and I am not surprised this happened in a district under his control.
