Principal Under Fire For Boy's Haircut

[bossradio93]

http://www.nbc4.tv/education/10457498/detail.html

Principal Under Fire For Boy's Haircut

POSTED: 7:13 am PST December 4, 2006

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- A high school principal could be in trouble for taking one of his students to a barber shop -- without permission of the pupil's parents.

"Students should not be taken off of campus by any staff member without parental permission," said Rigo Chavez, district spokesman.

Rio Grande High School Principal Al Sanchez said he thought Fidel Maldonado Jr.'s hair style -- the number "505" and a Zia symbol shaved into the back of his head -- was a gang haircut. The Zia, a sun design on the state flag, can be traced to a symbol on a 19th century Zia Pueblo water jar. 505 is New Mexico's area code.

Sanchez said he thought he was doing Maldonado, 15, a favor by taking him to a barber instead of suspending him. "I said, 'Do you want to just go to the barber and cut it off?' He said, 'Yeah.' I said, 'Let's go,"' Sanchez said.

It was not clear if the hair style was connected to a gang.

Fidel Maldonado Sr. said the law was broken when the principal took his son off campus. He said he is considering legal action.

"For him to take my son and take him out of school without my consent, against his own will, is wrong," the elder Maldonado said.

Copyright ©2006 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

KNBC-TV Channel 4, Los Angeles

[Courtnee]

Originally Posted by bossradio93

Sanchez said he thought he was doing Maldonado, 15, a favor by taking him to a barber instead of suspending him. "I said, 'Do you want to just go to the barber and cut it off?' He said, 'Yeah.' I said, 'Let's go,"' Sanchez said.

It was not against his will.

[Hollow]

LOLZ.