Parents, community members call for answers after teacher allegedly cuts student's hair

ISABELLA COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) — A Michigan school district is facing pushback over an alleged haircut of a 7-year-old biracial girl given by another student and a teacher.

According to social media posts, Jurnee Hoffmeyer came home from Ganiard Elementary on March 24 with much of her hair on one side cut.

Jurnee said a student on the bus cut it.

According to the Associated Press, Jurnee's father took her to a salon to get an asymmetrical haircut and fix the damage the student caused.

The next day, she reportedly came home from school again with another new haircut – the family saying this time saying the school librarian did it.

"I hope that your action to the librarian that did commit this act of hatred toward a 7-year-old girl who did not deserve it is more than a leave of absence or a paid leave of absence, because this was something far more traumatic than just cutting hair," a person said during public comment.

The Mt. Pleasant School Board heard concerns from not only residents but also many across the country standing behind Jurnee Hoffmeyer.

"I feel like you don't quite understand the impact of hair on the Black community or how serious this matter actually goes. If you could take a diversity training I feel like that would be very helpful, especially for understanding the context of this and why people are so upset about it."

The school board said that isn't the full story, but isn't giving their side.

"Although board policy and federal law limits the board to comment on specifics pertaining to that matter, we can assure you that the reports we have reviewed are inaccurate," said Mt. Pleasant Public School Board President Amy Bond.

One board member stepping out to comment.

"My heart goes out to the child. My heart goes out to the person who cut the hair," said Ex-Officio for Mt. Pleasant Public School Board Alice Jo Ricketts. "I don't even know the full story. I wish I did."

Jurnee's family is being represented by the National Parents Union.

"A formal apology to the Hoffmeyer family for violating their rights and cutting Jurnee's hair without parental advisement or consent, formal consequences to the educators and staff who decided to act without parental permission, damages to the anguish and mental injury that has taken place to this family and this child."

UpNorthLive News did call the Mt. Pleasant Superintendent for comment and had not heard back.

Many are calling for the school board to put this issue on their next meeting's agenda.

The school board will meet on May 3.