5th-grader removed from school for long hair

Ashton Bodiford has missed more than two weeks of school, including PARCC testing week, because his hair is too long for a boy's, according to Rapides Parish School Board policy.

"My school expelled me for having long hair," the 11-year-old said.

His mother said he was not technically expelled but was told he could not return to school until his hair was cut to meet the policy.

His hair falls past the middle of his back. Rapides Parish School Board policy requires male students to keep their hair no longer than chin-length in the back and no longer than 3 inches on top.

There are no constraints about how short or long girls' hair can be. Ashton's sister, also a Rapides Parish student, has shorter hair than her brother.

That's where Ashton's parents, Shawn and Angela Brewton, see a problem. They see the rules as unfair and discriminatory and call for a policy that is equal for both genders.

"We feel the policy is very gender-biased," Angela said.

Ashton has attended J.B. Nachman Elementary since he and his family moved from Colorado to Alexandria two years ago.

It is evident that Ashton's hair adheres to other rules for all students. He keeps his hair clean, combed and uncovered. He also does not appear to have any "disruptive colors or hairstyles," which are not allowed for any student.

He pulls his hair back in a low ponytail for school and keeps the hanging part in line with more rubber bands to keep the hair from being a distraction to Ashton or his classmates, Angela said. But this violates board policy as well. No ponytails are permitted for boys.

"The rules they have in place are pretty antiquated," Shawn said. "And the people who put them in place or are keeping them in place are not very open-minded."

It is unclear when the Rapides board set the policy, but it predates Superintendent Nason "Tony" Authement's tenure. He said his role in Ashton's situation is not a matter of opinion.

"The board makes the policy," Authement said. "It is my job as superintendent to ensure we are enforcing the rules across the district, and that's exactly what we've done."

They have been told he cannot return to school until his hair is cut to within the requirements. While at home, Ashton has been completing assignments sent home with his sister, also at Nachman, who returns them to school, they said.

"It makes me upset (to be out of school)," Ashton said. "I'm missing my biggest test (PARCC)."

Angela hopes to see changes made to the rules before the end of school. She said she sent the school board a letter about the issue and plans to address the board at its April meeting.

"We would like to get it changed, to see things change, progress with the times, equal treatment for the children," Angela said. "We're not trying to be rebels."

As a school board policy, only the board can change it during open session.

"Until the board changes the policy — and I'm not suggesting that they do — they (Ashton and his family) are going to have to comply with the policy," Authement said.

The Brewtons said Friday they have not contacted their school board representative, who is Keith Breazeale. He also is board president this year. He said in an email Monday that he did not know about the issue and could not comment.

"As a board member, all employee and student issues are forwarded to administration for them to handle," Breazeale said. "You know that board members only have input or authority when we are in session. We do make policies while we are in session and the administration then follows those policies. As far as I know (which I have not been privy to this issue), our administrators have followed board policy on this issue."

The Brewtons said they gave Ashton the opportunity to get a haircut, but said he doesn't want to cut it. She said they could make him cut his hair, but they wonder what lesson that would teach.

"As parents we are put between a rock and a hard place," Angela said. "Do we teach our children to stand up for their rights, to be an individual, be who you want to be? ... We tell them you can be anything. Ashton just wants to be himself."

"We're not ignorant of the fact that there are rules of society that you have to conform to, but this is antiquated," Shawn added.

It has taken Ashton about three years to grow his hair to its current length. He also learned of a Guinness World Record for the longest hair.

"I'm thinking I could beat it," he said.

Ashton has had many role models with long hair, including his grandfather and great-grandfather. Although it is short now, Shawn has worn his hair long before. But Ashton brought up another widely known man as an inspiration for his hairstyle.

"One question I wanted to ask (Authement) was if you look at pictures of Jesus, every one of them he has long hair. If he was a kid in my shoes, would you ask him to cut his hair?" Ashton said. "... If you look at Jesus, I'm thinking I can be like him and have long hair."

The Brewtons have contacted a lawyer about the issue and set up an online fund to help cover possible litigation costs. The site shows that they have raised $275 through www.gofundme.com/LongHairFreedom as of Tuesday afternoon.

"If they would change the policy and he could go to school, we'd have no reason to pursue (a lawsuit)," she said.