Dress code violations at Seagoville High School caused serious problems today.

Somewhere between 150 and 500 students were banned from class because of their belts.

Total enrollment of the school is about 1,200.

The belts are supposed to be plain black or brown with a standard buckle. Anything else -- like holes in leather -- is considered a decoration, and a violation.

Those who didn't follow dress code were put in in-school suspension or sent home with parents.

Many say the rule is too harsh - too soon.

"They need to be concentrating on what they learn not how they are dressing," said Rosa Banda, a mother.

A DISD spokesperson says the district supports Seagoville High's principal, saying he's sending a message early in the school year, so they don't have to deal with dress code issues once learning starts in earnest.

E-mail jstjames@wfaa.com.