A request to make male and female students’ dress code equal, specifically regarding hair length for guys was rejected by the school board at a meeting Aug. 30.
“I support the current dress code because I think it reflects the values of our community,” Jeannie Hilbers, school board president, said.
Hilbers said she is proud of the way the student body represents the school, at home and away.
“To some, these standards are too conservative and outdated. But to others they are too liberal. Some want longer hair allowed on males; others think the current policy allows hair to be too long,” Hilbers said. “My goal is to hear all opinions and vote for what I think reflects the values and opinions of the majority.”
According to Katherine McDonald, mother of senior Ransom McDonald and first speaker at the meeting, the American Civil Liberties Union sent out a letter to 477 Texas school districts (including ACISD) that gender-based dress codes are no longer acceptable and must be the same. “I spoke to request that the school update antiquated grooming rules that discriminate based on the length of male hair,” Katherine McDonald said. “All we want is for these boys to not be ostracized. In School Suspension (ISS) for not fitting the stereotype set forth by the school district.”
Hilbers said in her eight years as school board president, her focus has been student readiness.
“I want students to be ready for their next phase of life, whether that is college, workforce, military or trade school,” she said. “Their (the male students) concerns were taken serious by the board and during our discussions never were these young men referred to as bad kids, disrespectful or an embarrassment to our school.”
Christy Salyers, mother of senior Robert Salyers, spoke at the board meeting and said the final ruling was “blatant gender discrimination.”
“I told the school board I don’t understand how my daughter who had long hair when she attended the school was able to attend class, yet my son with long hair is not allowed to be in class,” she said.
“Male students having longer hair doesn’t make them disrespectful; they don’t cause safety hazards or poor hygiene.”
Beau Reneau, school board member, said it was a unanimous vote to not change the policy.
“We had several students and parents show up to voice their opinion. Normally, we do not have public comment,” Reneau said. “The board wanted to stay with what we consider the community standards with the hair policy for male students.”
Salyers said she feels like these students do not have a voice and neither do parents from the community. She also said she has written the ACLU) and Texasappleseed, Texas Education Agency, Texas Association of School Boards, Office of Civil Rights and have case numbers with each organization for investigation.
“As a parent my arguments start with wanting these boys in class and for them to have equal opportunity to an education,” Salyers said. “The final ruling did not take into consideration the education of these students. No child should face discrimination.”

School board secretary Steven Schroeder said the school board voted in a way they thought best for the school.
“I was impressed that Robert Salyers was willing to speak in front of the board and everyone in attendance on an issue he cares about,” Schroeder said. “We had to carefully considered the concerns brought to us.”
Robert Salyers, who spoke at the meeting, said if he were a woman, he would not be punished for the way his hair is.
“I’ve been sent to ISS for what any woman on campus can do without regard,” he said. “I feel that the final ruling reflects the intentions of the school board to mandate an antiquated opinion without regard to equality.”
Sophomore Chase Curry said he agrees with the current dress code.
“Most jobs have stricter dress codes, and a shorter, cleaner cut is more professional-looking,” he said. “You’re more likely to get a job with shorter hair.”
Curry said he likes student initiative.
“The drive and want to make a change is good, but to me it seems like students aren’t wanting to respect authority in this situation,” he said.
Ransom McDonald said he believes the current dress code goes against “basic human rights.”
“The rule about male hair length should’ve been changed a long time ago, and I think it’s time to fight for what we believe in,” he said.
McDonald also said the current policy negatively affects him on a daily basis.
“I have to try to hide from or avoid people that might tell me to cut my hair, or being afraid that my hair is too long and I have to be in ISS like I have been,” he said.
Senior Mason Gilmore said he doesn’t agree with the request to have male and female dress codes be equal.
“There’s a lot of differences between males and females,” Gilmore said. “There can’t be a blanket rule for both.”
Gilmore said he also thinks shorter hair is more “professional.”
“I was raised to always be nice and presentable with short hair; while some do look good with long hair, short looks neater,” Gilmore said.