Pre-k student in trouble over long hair

MESQUITE, Texas, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- A Texas woman said officials at her 4-year-old son's school told her the prekindergarten student will be kicked out of school if she does not have his hair cut.

Elizabeth Taylor said her son, Taylor Pugh, has been learning in a room separate from the rest of his class at Floyd Elementary School in Mesquite, Texas, since the school's principal told her the boy's hair was too long at the end of October, The Dallas Morning News reported Tuesday.

"He only goes two and half hours a day. He's not a distraction. He doesn't get teased," the mother said.

She said she will not comply with the school's wishes because her son likes long hair and his father, who has American Indian heritage, wears his hair long.

"The policy says students can't go to class out of dress code," Associate Superintendent Cathy Rideout said. However, she said "a student will not be excluded from school" for non-compliance with the dress code.

Taylor said she was told her son will be removed from school Tuesday if he shows up with long hair. She said she is appealing to district officials for help with the matter.