The Beaver County School District board has agreed to abolish a 16-year-old dress code and grooming policy following protests from parents and students.

Leading to the board's decision Tuesday was a controversy last week when a number of male students, ranging from kindergarten to high school, were withheld from classes throughout the district because their hair was too long.Superintendent Lynn Haslem said the board now expects administrators to use reason in determining appropriate dress and students and parents to use modesty and restraint.

A delegation of parents from Milford, led by Nolan Davis, told board members the trouble began after the principal at Milford Elementary School told Davis' son he couldn't attend school if he didn't get a haircut.

"After school started my boy was sent home with a copy of the dress code policy because his hair touched the collar of his shirt," Davis said.

"I have three boys and want my kids to each have some individuality, and I have a real hard time with the school board or the principal telling them how to wear their hair. I thought that was what this country was about is that everyone has some freedom of choice," he said.

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Davis maintained the policy discriminated against boys, was open to too much interpretation and did not keep up with modern styles.

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