SAD 1 updates its discrimination policy to include hairstyles

Maine School Administrative District 1 has updated its student discrimination and harassment complaint procedure to include hairdressing in accordance with the updated definition of Maine Human Rights Law.

Almost Isle, Maine – Maine School Administrative District 1 has updated its student discrimination and harassment complaint procedure to include hairdressing in accordance with the updated definition in Maine’s Human Rights Act.

The change in SAD 1 was a proactive step to update the discrimination policies and procedures already in place in the school district. The effective date for the Maine Human Rights Act update was August 2022.

Governor Janet Mills signed LD598, which was a law prohibiting discrimination in jobs and schools based on hair texture or hairstyle. The Legislative Assembly considered the national trend and decided to make the change this year amend Maine’s human rights law to prohibit discrimination based on hairstyle or hair texture.

“Usually every time there’s a legislative session a number of legislative changes come into effect and if they impact education in any way, whether it’s employment or our students, we are reviewing our policies to ensure we are in compliance with our updated laws. We did just that at our September board meeting due to LD598,” said SAD 1 Superintendent Ben Greenlaw.

“[SAD 1] made the change just to stay compliant and ensure our students and staff are not discriminated against,” said Greenlaw.

The definition under Maine’s human rights law included traits associated with race based on hair texture and certain hairstyles like braids, twists, highlights and afros. The goal is to comply with a school’s dress code and to attend events such as graduations and sporting events.

“All students should be able to attend school without fear of discrimination, harassment and that sort of thing. If this policy helps clarify that and make the school more accessible and a safer environment for them, I think that’s great and I would say the same for our employees,” Greenlaw said.