
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, March 8, 1991                   TAG: 9103080814
SECTION: NATL/INTL                    PAGE: A-2   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PHARR, TEXAS                                LENGTH: Short

LONG-HAIRED 4-YEAR-OLD TO BE EXPELLED

A school board refused to waive the dress code for a 4-year-old boy whose parents say they promised God they wouldn't cut his shoulder-length hair until they're certain he's free of cancer.

Joshua Garcia was barred from class starting today under the ruling Thursday night. Attorneys said federal courts now will decide the issue.

Board members cited a need to maintain classroom discipline when they voted against the exception.

"We have decided tonight that he has to cut his hair," said Jaime Ruiz, president of the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District board.

The only dissenting vote came from board member Robert Contreras. He questioned why the district should expel the boy in the middle of the school year when his hair has violated the dress code since the year started.

The boy's mother, Joshua Garcia, appeared at the meeting and appealed for an exception. The district's dress code prohibits male students' hair below the collar.

by CNB