Teen at center of dreadlocks controversy withdraws from Barbers Hill ISD

MONT BELVIEU, Texas – The high school senior caught in the middle of a controversy regarding the length of his dreadlocks has withdrawn from Barbers Hill ISD, his family says.

De’Andre Arnold has been growing his dreadlocks in a tradition Trinidadian style for eight years. Just a couple of months before graduation, De’Andre was found to be in violation of hair length in the dress code.

De’Andre and his family has been fighting the district pleading that the dress code is a violation of his civil right to wear dreadlocks.

On Friday, his family told Fox26 that he has been withdrawn from the district and enrolled in another school.

Barber Hill ISD released a statement on Tuesday say:

“Barbers Hill ISD has a long-standing dress code, but we absolutely allow dreadlocks. What we do not allow is any action that circumvents or violates the provision regarding hair length. The student in question was NEVER forbidden from attending school. The U.S. Constitution allows a school board the right to implement local community expectations, and Barbers Hill ISD’s continual academic and extra-curricular successes are a direct result of our communities’ high expectations.”

De’Andre’s story had spread quickly and gained national attention. On Wednesday, Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre spoke out in support of the teen tweeting “Never cut your lock Deandre Arnold.”