PANEL MAY RECOMMEND CENTRAL COMMENCEMENT POLICY NEXT MONTH

A committee is looking at graduation procedures at Cape Girardeau Central High School. A recommendation could come as soon as next month.

Last year, commencement brought a public outcry when a long-standing practice was changed at the last minute. Students who hadn't completed all graduation requirements were allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony. The decision was made by Superintendent Neyland Clark and endorsed by school board members.

Then-principal Dan Milligan was so irked by the change he left school and didn't return.

When new principal Dan Tallent took over, he established a committee to look at graduation procedures.

"I asked the committee to leave what had happened in the past behind us," he said. "We are looking at what do we need to do to have a sensible policy."

The school has no written policy pertaining to commencement.

"Everything is done traditionally," he said.

The committee started meeting in November and includes 19 teachers and students. No parents volunteered to serve, but Tallent asked his 23-member parent advisory committee for input.

The committee will prepare a first-draft of their recommendation within the next few weeks.

When the recommendation is written, the parent advisory committee, the 14 members of the faculty advisory committee and 27 members of the student advisory committee will have a chance to review the suggestion.

"Once this goes over to the school board, there will be plenty of opportunity for people who have not served on the committee to have input," Tallent said.

The committee is looking at the commencement ceremony and also how the high school prepares students for graduation, beginning in the sophomore year.

The principal said policies should be in place so parents and students are apprised of graduation requirements and student progress.

"We are going about this in a very judicious manner," he said.