PERRYVILLE SCHOOLS TO WEIGH POLICY

PERRYVILLE -- Perryville public schools plan to formalize a long-standing commencement practice with an official board policy.

For years the district has allowed students who will finish graduation requirements by Sept. 1 to participate in graduation exercises, said Paul Turner, assistant superintendent.

First reading of a policy statement formalizing that practice is set for the Perryville Board of Education meeting Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the board of education office.

Turner said, "It's been practice for as long as I can remember, but it was not in board policy. We decided we would put it in writing. We think everyone is pretty happy with it, but you never know."

A change in Cape Girardeau's graduation practice to allow students who hadn't completed graduation requirements to participate in commencement brought a firestorm of criticism from some community members.