Mother Claims School District’s Hair Policy is Stopping Her From Enrolling Her Son In School

A mother in East Bernard claims she was not allowed to enroll her son into the district’s high school unless he cut his dreadlocks.

Desiree Bullock recently moved to East Bernard in February and planned on enrolling her 17-year-old son, Dyree Williams, in school. While at the high school, a guidance counselor informed her of their police which forbids her son’s dreadlocks.

East Bernard ISD’s student handbook outlines its dress code and hair policy which forbids “braided hair or twisted rows/strands.”

Upset with this information, Bullock contacted the superintendent in hopes of getting a religious exception.

Courtney Hudgins, East Bernard ISD’s superintendent, denied her request.

“It’s not right. My child should be able to keep his locks in his hair,” Bullock said, fearing her son’s rights were violated.

The debate over hair policies in Texas school districts isn’t new. In 2020, a federal judge ruled that Barbers Hill Independent School District’s dress code was discriminatory after two Black students were suspended over the length of their dreadlocks. The school district eventually revised its policy.

Shaundra Lewis, a law professor, explains that lawsuits can establish that rights are being violated, but said they don’t stop school districts from keeping them.

“They can continue to make these policies. The question is, can they enforce the policies?” Lewis asked.

The question of enforcement depends on whether a parent challenges the policy.

“If any parent challenges it on the basis that it interferes with their First Amendment right to freedom of religion or is discriminatory, then it cannot be legally upheld,” Lewis said.

A formal complaint against East Bernard ISD has not been filed.

“East Bernard ISD intends to comply with state law regarding enrollment and attendance if and when an enrollment application is completed.” Hudgins explained in a statement.

Bullock said she will continue to homeschool her son until a solution is found.

Her son, who runs track and wants to attend college to become a veterinarian, hopes for a scholarship to get him there. However, he fears that won’t happen if he continues on with homeschooling.
“It’s 10 times harder for colleges to notice me because I’m not in school,” he explained.

The 17-year-old smiled when asked to describe what his hair meant to him.
“It makes me — me. Without my hair, I wouldn’t be the person I am today,” he added.