Racial Discrimination Claim Dismissed in Barbers Hill ISD “Hair Case”

By Gloria Way

  Here are the charges that were dismissed or not by US District Judge Jeffrey Vincent Brown regarding the Darryl George case as of August 18, 2025.

• Racial Discrimination Claim: Judge Brown dismissed the racial discrimination claim, citing insufficient evidence of a persistent or widespread pattern of race-based enforcement against Black students.
• Sex Discrimination Claim: The claim alleging sex-based discrimination survived. Judge Brown determined the school district offered no rationale for why its hair-length rules distinguish between male and female students.
• Other Claims: All the George family’s remaining claims, including violations of First Amendment free expression, mental anguish, and requests for injunctive or declaratory relief, were dismissed.
• Claims Against State Officials: Claims against Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton were also dismissed in this ruling.

  However, a separate claim filed by Barbers Hill ISD stating that the related case is now moot because George has graduated, is being challenged by George’s team asserting that George is still suffering emotional and educational harm.His attorneys argue that the case should continue, despite his graduation. They claim George suffered emotional, educational, and reputational damage due to his suspension and placement in alternative school. That damage didn’t stop at graduation. It persists and could be addressed by monetary damages or a legal declaration that the school’s policy was unconstitutional.

  A ruling could set a precedent that protects future students under laws like the Texas CROWN Act, which bans race-based hair discrimination. Hair discrimination cases involving students often end with graduation. If courts dismiss every case at graduation, policies could keep harming students without ever being reviewed.