Robert Richards, Jr., a Minor by His Father and Next Friend Robert Richards v. Roger Thurston, as Principal of Marlboro High School

COFFIN, Circuit Judge.

Plaintiff, a seventeen year old boy, was suspended from school at the begin ning of his senior year because he refused to cut his hair, which a local newspaper story introduced into evidence described as “falling loosely about the shoulders”. Defendant, the principal of the high school in Marlboro, Massachusetts, admits that there was no written school regulation governing hair length or style but contends that students and parents were aware that “unusually long hair” was not permitted.

On these sparse facts the parties submitted the ease posed by plaintiff’s request for…