Hair like Jurnees is too often viewed as a problem to be solved., The school board said the staff member who cut Hoffmeyers hair will be placed on a last chance agreement, meaning that any future violations will likely result in termination.. She said she didnt have the authority to do anything, he added. Im not one to try to make things about race, he said. A couple of weeks ago, Jurnee Hoffmeyer got her hair cut by another student on the bus home from school, her father, Jimmy, says.It didnt look, arrived home from Ganiard Elementary in Mount Pleasant with hair missing, Free legal representation now available for many Detroiters facing eviction, MSU announces new security measures, plan for external review of response to mass shooting on campus, Michigan Senate advances repeal of 1931 abortion ban though the ban is already unenforceable, Michigan Senate passes Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act expansion to add LGBTQ rights, Former Burton police officer charged with hate crime, Mount Pleasant family says daughters haircut by school staff exposes racial bias. Jurnee Hoffmeyer, 7, arrived home from a Michigan school last month with an unwanted haircut from her teacher, sparking outrage from her father and the community alike. The key findings of the third-party investigation are: The third-party investigation is in addition to a thorough internal review conducted by district administration, including conducting interviews, reviewing videotaped and photographic evidence, consistent with the laws and district policies and procedures. After allegedly pressuring a student into getting a haircut, a California teacher was fired and charged with six misdemeanor counts of child cruelty. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Jurnee's mother is white. 7-year-old Michigan girl whose hair was cut by a teacher, the Mount Pleasant Public Schools Board of Education said, Mom objects when 4-year-old son not allowed to wear braids at school, Many Ethnicities founder creates products for different hair types and textures. She now attends another school. Jurnee Hoffmeyer on March 24 arrived home from Ganiard Elementary School, 101 S. Adams St., with the hair on one side of her head cut off. Mount Pleasant is about 150 miles (241 kilometers) northwest of Detroit. Piper also wrote her clients were entitled to qualified immunity. It is unclear what will happen to her, but many are calling for her to be fired. Have something to tell us about this article? After the haircutting incident, Hoffmeyer removed Jurnee from Ganiard and enrolled her in another school. The board added that the third-party inquiry was performed in addition to an internal review by the school districts administration. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. "We should probably call him and let him know what just happened.". Mr Hoffmeyer took his daughter to a barber, who gave her an asymmetric haircut to help even out her hair. Jurnee Hoffmeyer. In addition, Superintendent Verleger has recommended and the Board has accepted written reprimands for two additional MPPS employees who were aware of the incident but did not alert the students parents or the Administration.. 91.7 Ann Arbor/Detroit 104.1 Grand Rapids The employees involved have acknowledged their wrong actions and apologized. I spoke with the Hoffmeyer family today, as the statement came out, said Laster. The district failed to properly train, monitor, direct, discipline, and supervise their employees, and knew or should have known that the employees would engage in the complained of behavior given the improper training, customs, procedures, and policies, and the lack of discipline that existed for employees, according to the lawsuit. Did they really do an investigation?. Michigan is one of the states considering a CROWN Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act to protect women and girls who are frequently discriminated against for wearing natural hair. Jimmy Hoffmeyer, a father in Michigan, is suing the school district in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, because a school employee cut his daughter's hair. To achieve our mission of providing a world-class education to all MPPS students, we must continuously strive to improve and acknowledge when we have not lived up to our own high standards., Father of girl, 7, who had hair cut off by school staffer files $1 million lawsuit alleging racial discrimination, Even as local efforts increase, hair discrimination is still legal in Michigan, Department of Civil Rights deeply concerned about Mount Pleasant girls haircut by school staffer, Michigan school district says girl, 7, asked to have her hair cut, Michigan girls haircut by school staffer modern-day scalping, says National Parents Union. The Teacher Who Cut Off A Students Hair Bachelors Degree In Elementary Education: The Best Choice For Elementary School Teachers, Rutgers: A Top Choice For Students Interested In Pursuing A Career In Teaching, The Best Places In The World to Seek Practical Education, 4 Ways Teachers Can Improve Their Performance in the Classroom, The Unique And Rewarding Experience Of Teaching At A Christian School, What To Do Before The School Year Starts Teacher, How To Teach High School Genetics: A Guide. Jurnees mother is white. / MoneyWatch. She was afraid of getting in trouble for getting her hair cut., I asked what happened and said I thought I told you no child should ever cut your hair. "https://t.co/0fXblhhfRR, In other news, Mean Lori Lightfoot Beetlejuice memes go viral as Chicago mayor concedes, The Official Hollyoaks Autumn Trailer | Hollyoaks, https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rDJrPqz4Kuk/hqdefault.jpg. Maybe the teacher was trying to even out her hair, or maybe Jurnee had lice. On a related note, the Michigan House of Representatives in March 2022 passed the CROWN Act in a 235-189 vote to prohibit race-based hair discrimination. Margaret Gieszinger, 52, a chemistry teacher in California, was caught on camera forcibly cutting a students hair and throwing it behind her while singing the national anthem. This incident has caused a lot of uproar, with people on both sides of the issue. It will also prepare you to, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is one of the worlds leading research universities. She said but dad, it was the teacher. The teacher cut her hair to even it out, he added further., Jimmy said he informed the principal of the school, but he wasnt pleased with the explanation he got., Months later, Jurnees father is filing a $1 Million lawsuit against the school district and two staff members who were involved in cutting his daughters hair., Jimmy, who is Black, has reportedly spoken about alleged racial discrimination against his daughter in the lawsuit., According to MLive.com, the lawsuit states that the district failed to properly train, monitor, direct, discipline, and supervise their employees and knew or should have known that the employees would engage in the complained-of behavior given the improper training, customs, procedures, and policies, and the lack of discipline that existed for employees., However, an investigation by the school district in July concluded that the teacher had not acted with racial bias, according to BBC.. Two days after the bus incident and after complaining to the principal and having Jurnees hair styled at a salon with an asymmetrical cut to make the differing lengths less obvious Jurnee arrived home with the hair on the other side cut. Superintendent Verleger has also personally apologized to the family on behalf of the school district. On video, the teacher can be seen cutting the hair of a student seated in the front row of a classroom at University Preparatory High School in California. Librarian On Last Chance Agreement After Cutting Students Hai The librarian who cut Jurnee Hoffmeyers hair was reprimanded by the Board of Education, who agreed to place her on a last chance agreement, in which she would almost certainly be fired if she violates it again in the future. "I'm not one to try to make things about race," said Hoffmeyer, who is Black and white. The employee who cut Hoffmeyers hair acted with good intentions, as did two other district employees who were aware of the haircut but did not alert Hoffmeyers parents or the school district, the board said in a statement emailed Friday. Rutgers is dedicated to teaching, research, and public service, and its mission. That librarian is now a named defendant in a $1 million civil rights lawsuit filed by the girls father. Jimmy Hoffmeyer of Michigan filed the case on behalf of his daughter Jurnee Hoffmeyer. The lawsuit claims that the librarian, along with the school district and a teachers assistant, violated Jurnees civil rights. Jimmy Hoffmeyer in September 2021 filed his federal lawsuit on behalf of his daughter Jurnee Hoffmeyer. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Two other employees were aware of the incident but did not report it and have been officially reprimanded. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The librarian has been placed on a last chance employment notice and will be dismissed if there is any future infraction. As your Board, we have made every effort to address this matter with the seriousness and care it deserves and with the transparency our community expects, the board said. Market data provided by ICE Data Services. I asked what happened and said I thought I told you no child should ever cut your hair, Hoffmeyer said at the time. Furthermore, the schools hair regulations may be in violation of the students equal protection rights because they may be based on a personal preference (such as the students hair length) rather than a legitimate educational interest. We believe a last-chance agreement is appropriate given that the employee has an outstanding record of conduct and has never once been reprimanded in more than 20 years of work at Mount Pleasant Public Schools, the board said. It is best to check with the school directly to inquire about their policies regarding hair length for students. Investigation Finds No Evidence Of Racial Bias In Jurnee LANSING, MI The Michigan Department of Civil Rights has taken notice of a recent incident involving a Mount Pleasant schoolgirl having her hair cut by a fellow student and then by a staff member, incidents that have garnered public outcry. In the spirit of transparency, we are presenting the key findings from this investigation and resulting discipline as recommended by Superintendent Jennifer Verleger with support from the school board. Verleger wrote that Jurnee had asked a fellow student to cut her hair at school. In an interview with the Associated Press, Mount Pleasant father Jimmy Hoffmeyer said his daughter Jurnee arrived home from school on March 24 with the hair on one side of her head cut off. MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. The father of a 7-year-old Michigan girl whose hair was cut by a teacher without her parents permission has filed a $1 million The act was sponsored by Rep. Sarah Anthony, D-Lansing, and first introduced in 2019, then reintroduced in February 2021. 91.3 Port Huron 89.7 Lansing 91.1 Flint. The father of three young daughters says he has taken Jurnee out of the school and is considering enrolling her in a private school. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Hoffmeyer Said Jurnee Was Crying & Afraid of Getting in Trouble After the Teacher Cut Her Hair Hoffmeyer said in an interview with the Associated Press that Technicians are currently working on the problem. He is also suing for racial discrimination, ethnic intimidation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and assault and battery. All rights reserved (About Us). Two days later, Jurnee returned home a second time with nearly all her hair cut off down to a few inches from her scalp. Cutting a students hair on school grounds either with or without parent permission is a clear violation of school policy. I see this type of stuff manifest all across this nation, and if were really, truly looking to end and eradicate systemic racism, people are going to have to do the hard, introspective work of challenging their own thoughts and beliefs, Laster said. "I asked what happened and said 'I thought I told you no child should ever cut your hair.' The local school board has deemed Jimmys allegations as baseless and have claimed that they would aggressively defend them in court., Jurnees father first made headlines in March after revealing that a teacher from his daughters school, Ganiard Elementary, had cut her hair without parental permission., He told The Associated Press in April that Jurnee arrived home from school with hair on one side cut. Two other employees were aware of the incident but didnt report it. Lawsuit seeks $1M after Michigan teacher cuts biracial girls h She said but dad, it was the teacher. The teacher cut her hair to even it out.. Defendants involved in Massachusetts standoff in court, 911 callers urge help for hockey player killed by fireworks, Lawsuit: Man who sparked treasure hunt retrieved own loot, Chicago police chief, U.S. attorney resign after Mayor Lori Lightfoot loses reelection. 2021 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. This may violate the students liberty rights because the school could be infringing on their right to free expression. First published on September 17, 2021 / 6:05 PM. Most schools have a dress code that teachers are required to follow. The teacher was immediately suspended and is currently under investigation. Jurnee Hoffmeyer, 7, arrived home from a Michigan school last month with an unwanted haircut from her teacher, sparking outrage from her father and the The father of a 7-year-old Michigan girl whose hair was cut by a teacher without her parents permission has filed a $1 million lawsuit against the school district, a librarian and a teachers assistant. Jimmy Hoffmeyer said his biracial daughter came home on March 24 with much of the hair on one side cut after another child grabbed on a pair of scissors. Verified account Protected Tweets @; Suggested users Hoffmeyer said the girl who cut Jurnees hair and the teacher who cut it are white. MLive.com reports that the lawsuit was filed Tuesday in federal court in Grand Rapids against Mount Pleasant Public Schools. File photo: Students walk to board a school bus in Manhattan's East Village. A Michigan father has moved his 7-year-old biracial daughter from one school to another after the child's hair was cut on separate occasions by a classmate and a teacher. Other schools have drawn unwanted attention for policing the hairstyles of students of color. The board ruled to place Mogg on a last chance employment agreement, during which time any future violations will likely result in termination. Superintendent Jennifer Verleger recommended the discipline and was supported by the board. Cutting a students hair on school grounds either with or without parent permission is a clear violation of school policy. There could be a few reasons why the teacher cut Jurnees hair. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. But it has nothing to do with White, Black, or Bi-racial. Jurnee said a classmate used scissors to cut her hair on a school bus, Hoffmeyer told The Associated Press earlier this year. The barber trimmed Jurnees hair for free and said further work would be done to even out the hair once more grew in. It is also New Jerseys preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. The father of a 7-year-old Michigan girl whose hair was cut in school without her parents' consent has filed a $1 million lawsuit against the school district, a librarian and a teacher's assistant. Amy Bond, the Mount Pleasant school board president, said Thursday the district has not received the lawsuit. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Staggering snowfall in California mountains leaves residents trapped for days, Garland testifies before Senate panel amid ongoing special counsel probes, Colon cancer rates rising in younger age group, study finds, Firefighter dies battling blaze in downtown Buffalo, mayor says, Explosive found in checked luggage at Pennsylvania airport, feds say, 20,000 people may have been exposed to measles at Asbury University revival, Prosecution wraps its case at Alex Murdaugh murder trial, Top McCarthy aide, House Oversight chair each met with Ashli Babbitt's mother, Ex-Georgia star Jalen Carter was racing in deadly crash, arrest warrants allege, The Crown Act challenges hair discrimination, The Crown Act seeks to protect against hair discrimination. Jimmy Hoffmeyer seeks $1 million from Mount Pleasant Public Schools, alleging it violated his biracial daughters constitutional rights. Hoffmeyer said he filed an incident report with the Mount Pleasant Police Department, but as of Monday no officer had contacted him to follow up on the complaint. The school board also said an independent investigation determined that, despite the "good intentions" of the worker who cut the girl's hair, the employee had violated school policy by cutting the student's hair without permission from her parents and without the knowledge of district administrators. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. IE 11 is not supported. Two days before the recent settlement conference, defense counsel filed a motion seeking the cases dismissal. Newsweek has contacted the Mount Pleasant Public Schools District, Ganiard Elementary School and Jimmy Hoffmeyer for comment. Laster said failing to speak with the Hoffmeyer family means investigators have an incomplete picture of what motivated the haircut and how it affected Jurnee. Ive pretty much grown up with only white people, myself.. 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