STEILACOOM, Wash. — A Steilacoom student is fighting a decision by school officials to suspend him for three days after he appeared in an inflatable penis costume outside another school’s homecoming dance, KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reported.

Pioneer Middle School student James Watkins bought the costume last weekend and later showed up outside a dance at Steilacoom High School wearing the outfit.

His parents described Watkins as a straight-A student, an athlete and a “good kid” who made a mistake. They said the three-day suspension, along with a sexual harassment citation, are too severe.

“He wasn’t even on his own school grounds,” said Mark Watkins, his father. “Poor decision, I agree. Disciplinary action? I agree. I think they went way too far.”

“The thing I felt was wrong was that they weren’t giving us any rights for a first offense,” said Lori Watkins, James’ mother. “I don’t like the sexual harassment on there. That really bothers me.”

The family has spoken with representatives of the American Civil Liberties Union about possible legal action in the case.

District officials said they disagreed, but wouldn’t talk about the incident because of student confidentiality.