HAMILTON, Ohio -- An eighth grade student is serving an in-school suspension for cutting a Bengals football helmet design in his hair.
Dustin Reader, an eighth grade student at Garfield Middle School, says he was sent immediately to the principal's office when he showed up with his haircut on Monday.
Reader was given an in-school suspension which means he will be kept in isolation to do his school work until his hair grows out.
"This all comes down to a me as a situation of a freedom of expression," said Jim Reader, Dustin's father.
Dustin Reader says, "It's just a hair cut. It ain't drug related, it ain't got no guns, it ain't got no cuss words and stuff like that – so why are they worried about it?"
Dustin's barber, Chris Campbell, became his mentor after Dustin started helping clean up and hanging out at Razor Sharp barber shop in Hamilton.
He says he cut the design for free on Saturday before the Bengals game.
"It doesn't make any noise like some beads in someone's hair and it doesn't stick up to block anyone’s view from the teacher or the board," said Campbell.
A spokesperson with the Hamilton City School District says they're working with his family to find a solution and get Dustin back in class.
Administrators also say they've given Dustin warnings in the past about his hair and say these designs violate the student code of conduct.
His mother, Tina Wanamaker, says she's proud of her son.
"He's sticking it out. At least he's being marked there, and I'm proud of him for that, so I'm going to stay behind him whatever he decides," said Wanamaker.
For now, Dustin says he'll stick it out, and won't cut his hair to get back to class.
He says when his hair grows out he's already planning other designs and hopes to one day become a barber and work side-by-side with his mentor Chris Campbell.
What do you think about the school suspending him? Let us know in the comment section below.
What do you think about the school suspending him? Let us know in the comment section below.
