Forced haircut lands principal in trouble

ALBUQUERQUE, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- A high school principal in New Mexico is facing possible disciplinary action after forcing one of his students to get a haircut without parental permission.

Rio Grande High School Principal Al Sanchez took 15-year-old Fidel Maldonado Jr. to an off-campus barbershop without the permission of the teen's parents and had his alleged gang haircut altered to a more acceptable style, the Albuquerque Journal said.

Sanchez's actions immediately prompted the student's father to contact with the Albuquerque Public Schools board and threaten legal action against the school.

The principal had claimed that the number "505" that was shaved onto the teen's head represented a gang affiliation, but Maldonado maintains it merely represents an homage in the boxing community, of which he is a part.

A spokesman for the schools said an investigation would be conducted into the incident.

"We're looking into the incident because it is against procedures for a staff member at any school to take a student off campus without parent permission," APS spokesman Rigo Chavez told the Journal.