UPDATE: Silsbee teen cuts hair

     SILSBEE- A Silsbee teenager who wants to grow is hair out for cancer patients has decided to cut his hair.

     Jarrot Griffis faced in-school suspension if he refused to get a hair cut. That's according to the boy's mother.

     Griffis says he just wanted to help other people but now he's decided to cut his hair because he says it's more important to get an education. Although, he has not lost the desire to donate his locks.

     Jessica Holloway reports, according to the boy's family, what began as a simple act of kindness has turned into disciplinary action but they're not giving up the fight.

     16 year old Jarrot Griffis is a cook at Novrozsky's in Silsbee. Underneath his hat he has long strawberry blonde locks of hair.

     "Jarrot has beautiful hair. He's willing to do something most people aren't willing to do," said Kathy Thomas.

     Griffis plans to donate his hair to Locks of Love. It's a non-profit organization that helps financially disadvantaged children who've lost their hair for medical reasons.

     "If I could give my hair to somebody else and see them with my hair and them smile, that would be meaningful," said Griffis.

     Something even more meaningful to Griffis, his aunt is a breast cancer survivor, but he's lost three family members to cancer, including his best friend.

     "It tore me up inside when my grandma died," said Griffis.

     The minimum length to donate is ten inches but that length violates school policy. In fact, his hair is already in violation of policy. It's not supposed to go past his shoulders.

     "If he can give something back to somebody I think he should be able to do it," said Thomas.

     His mother says it's not about being rebellious. She says he's a good kid. He's bought his own car, has a job and he's never been in trouble. Nevertheless, the law is not on Griffis' side.

     KFDM contact Waldman and Smallwood to find out if there is any recourse.

     "Unfortunately there's not constitutional right to have your hair long. Certainly he can go to the school board," said attorney Tom Oxford.

     "In all four year Jarrot's had long hair we've always conformed to the rules," said Thomas.

     "The courts consider the districts to be the same position as a parent. They make rules about dress, hair length, jewelry, that kind of thing," said Oxford.

     Griffis says he's being discriminated against because girls are allowed to grow their hair long and a couple years ago a former Silsbee High School male student was allowed to grow his hair long.

     "They let him grow it out for some reason but I don't understand why I can't do it," said Griffis.

     Whether now or later, Jarrot says it's something he's set on doing and his family plans to stand behind him.

      KFDM contacted the Silsbee School District. A spokeswoman said the school can't comment on disciplinary issues. The dress code can be found on-line.

     In reference to the graduate of Silsbee high who was allowed to cut his hair, the spokeswoman said, "After doing some research a student was allowed to let his hair grow for that reason. However we have a new superintendent and new administrators at the high school and Silsbee ISD will be consistent with the dress code."