HAMPTON, N.H. (AP) – A seventh-grader dressed as Santa Claus at a school dance was turned away by the principal, who said it was a holiday party – not a Christmas party – and the school must be sensitive to students who have other religious beliefs.

But school Superintendent James Gaylord said the boy was banned because he violated the dress code for last Friday’s event, which was supposed to be a “dress-up dance.”

Gaylord also said the beard covered the student’s face, so it was difficult to tell who it was.

Now the board is looking into whether officials at Hampton Academy Junior High School put the child in jeopardy because instead of changing and returning to the dance, he left the building alone, and at night.

Gaylord insisted Wednesday that the action was not based on concerns that the outfit represented a religious statement by the student, Bryan Lafond, nor was it based on any school or districtwide policy, since there are none.

Lafond attended the dance with a friend, who wore an elf’s hat. It is unclear if the friend was asked to remove the hat.