Two Pearce High School seniors kicked off the varsity cheerleading squad in August after being accused of underage drinking lost an appeal to the Richardson school board Monday night.

Police accused the cheerleaders and other Pearce students of drinking beer at the home of one of the students during the summer. When classes began, school officials banned the girls from the squad.

The cheerleaders and their parents argued Monday that the decision was unfair because it was stricter than punishments for other Pearce athletes, including a football player who was suspended for two games.

Board members sided with Pearce administrators in a unanimous vote. Trustee Carol Kent said the outcome jeopardizes the girls' chances of cheerleading in college. But she reminded them and their parents that they knew the rules when they signed cheerleading guidelines, which say students will be "immediately removed" for alcohol-related offenses.

"It's unfortunate when things like this happen, but in this case, the rules clearly state what the option of the school district is," Ms. Kent said.

Discipline policies vary by activity in Richardson, but officials ramped up penalties for cheerleaders and mascots last year "in response to an increasing number of disciplinary incidents involving cheerleaders," said district spokesman Tim Clark.

The girls and their mothers tearfully declined to comment after the vote Monday. The Dallas Morning News generally does not identify minors who are charged with juvenile crimes.