Teacher reprimanded for nose stud

PALM BEACH, Fla., May 28 (UPI) -- Officials at a Florida grade school threatened to fire a teacher if she refused to remove a decorative stud in her nose, saying it wasn't professional.

Hobe Sound Elementary School in Martin County near Palm Beach told first-grade teacher Julie Roberts, 40, she had to remove her diamond stud nose piercing, The Palm Beach Post reported Monday. District officials said a nose stud isn't professional dress.

Roberts removed the stud and replaced it with a clear spacer school officials said was still too "noticeable." They told Roberts to remove it or face discipline "up to and including termination."

She complied but still sought compensation for the cost of removing it and having to re-pierce her nose if the original piercing closed before the grievance was resolved. An arbitrator denied her request, but Roberts said the hole has remained open so far.