High school students in Lafayette Parish will be able to wear unnatural hair colors to school.
At a board meeting on Wednesday the school board discussed changes to the student-parent handbook.
The meeting became heated on the topic of unnatural hair colors, braids and extensions.
That agenda item read as follows: Unnaturally colored hair, highlights, braids, and/or extensions are not allowed. (Unnatural is defined as not naturally occurring on people)
Many at the meeting felt the wording could lead to targeting of black and other minority students.
After significant back and forth, the board opted to allow high school students to have unnaturally colored hair of all kinds, while middle school and elementary school students are still barred from sporting nonnatural colors.
The language about the unnaturally colored hair rule applying to braids, highlights and extensions remained in place for the lower grade.
Also up for consideration were changes to acrylic nails and makeup and tights and stockings.
Elementary School students will not be permitted to wear artificial or acrylic nails, painted faces or other distracting makeup. Middle School are not permitted to wear artificial or acrylic nails, painted faces or other distracting makeup. Nails should be no longer then ¼ inch.
Students will be allowed to wear school appropriate socks and tights. This means that all students can wear whatever socks they like, however, socks cannot contain profanity or depict something vulgar.
Regarding the dress code for faculty, school board member Tehmi Chassion said the policy hasn't been changed, but beleives the board will revisit it later this summer.
------------------------------------------------------------
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
To reach the newsroom or report a typo/correction, click HERE.
Download our free app for Apple,Android, Roku and Amazon devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Evening News Headlines, Latest COVID-19 Headlines, Morning News Headlines, Special Offers
