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Meisha Franklin and her mother color their hair similarly.

EDITOR'S NOTE: After meeting with school officials on Friday, Kelicia Franklin told News 8 her daughter was permitted to return to class at North Crowley High School without changing the color of her hair.

FORT WORTH — Meisha Franklin said her senior year at North Crowley High School was off to a good start—until she was called into the principal's office on Thursday.

"At first I thought it was my dress code, because my shirt was kind of out a little bit," she said.

But the problem didn't have anything to do with what Franklin was wearing. Instead, the problem was focused on her head.

Principal Trent Lovette said Meisha's hair violated the code that states no "unnatural" hair colors are allowed.

"You want students to look their best," Lovette said.

Meisha's mother, Kelicia Franklin—a church youth director and state office employee—said the policy has left her confused. "When I go to the workplace, I look presentable," she said.

Mother and daughter color their hair the same shade of red, which Kelicia Franklin said she finds a tasteful choice for many African-American women. "If you are going to continue to have African-American students in your school, you need to learn their culture," she said.

Meisha's mom also said she was bothered by the school's definition of "natural." Lovette said for black students, the rules would permit blonde hair.

"So, you're telling me my daughter has to have 'natural' hair color, or it has to be blonde?" Franklin asked.

Lovette said he is sticking by the wording of the code. "We want to eliminate as many distractions as possible," he said. "We need students to be about success at school."

Lovette said every day Meisha shows up at school with red hair, she will have to serve an in-school suspension. Her mother was scheduled to discuss the issue with school officials on Friday.

Lovette said the dress code was crafted by a team that included parents and teachers. He would not say how many other students have been disciplined for similar hair infractions.

E-mail chawes@wfaa.com