SCHOOL BOARD FIELDS GRADUATION CONCERNS

"When our school board and our superintendent fail to respond to the concerns of the community, something's wrong," said Amy Randol, a school patron and volunteer at Jefferson Elementary. "I don't think they're listening."

Randol was among 100 parents and staff who attended Monday's Cape Girardeau Board of Education meeting to discuss a recent change in Central High's commencement practice and how the change was made.

Randol said, "We elect them on good faith that they will carry out the views of the community, listen to the community to help the community and the school system. I don't believe it's being done.

"Credibility is certainly at a low point," she said. "This last slap in the face really hurt. I don't know what they'll do next -- what decisions they will make without any public input or knowledge."

A week before commencement, High School Principal Dan Milligan was so angered by a decision to change the commencement practice he left school and didn't return. His contract with the district already had ended.

Milligan said he had been asked by Superintendent Neyland Clark to give special consideration to a student on behalf of Clark.

The student's father, Brett Final, addressed the board Monday, but he was not required to give his name on the record. Other speakers appearing before the board were asked to give their name before being allowed to talk.

Final said his son has been threatened over the incident.

He said he first became aware that his son was one-half unit short of meeting graduation requirements in February 1994. "The counselor said I should have received a letter," he said. "I didn't."

He said that six weeks ago he was concerned his son would not complete a correspondence geometry course in time for graduation. "I contacted Dr. Clark at his office," Final said. "I contacted him at his office because I didn't know anyone else."

Final said he and Clark had met only once before.

"He suggested I contact his counselor and geometry teacher and Mr. Milligan and explain the extenuating circumstances," Final said.

Arrangements were made for his son to attend a geometry class during his study hall. Final said his son believed the class was not helping with his correspondence work, because the course work was different. He advised his son to quit attending the geometry class.

Final said that after the meeting with the counselor, Milligan called his son to his office and told him not to come crying when he didn't graduate.

Two weeks ago, it was clear his son would not pass the correspondence course prior to graduation, Final said. He called Board President Ed Thompson and asked if his son could participate in the ceremony. The decision was yes and has triggered turmoil in the community.

"I never asked Dr. Clark or Mr. Thompson do to anything unethical or immoral," Final said. "Yet Dr. Clark's credibility has been attacked. If Dr. Clark wanted to do it unethically, he would have just done it."

He said the June 11 story in the Southeast Missourian prompted him to come forward Monday.

Robert O'Grady, also a concerned patron, said requirements for graduation are clear and should be the same for participation in the ceremony.

"It's not fair to those who have struggled to make it," he said. "We have got to focus on what's important here. Graduation is not some sort of social opportunity or photo opportunity."

Debra Willis of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said a number of parents of minority students have contacted the NAACP with concerns about the school district, because their efforts to deal with administrators failed.

"We have had numerous complaints, and that doesn't speak too well of the administration," Willis said.

But parent Becky Ogborn said she supports the school board for allowing students to participate in commencement. "Commencement is a beginning," she said. "I don't think it hurt anyone of our students to allow them to walk across the stage."

CHS counselor Jerry Witvoet said students who graduate early may participate in commencement ceremonies. The Missourian has erroneously reported that they were not allowed to participate.

Board member Steve Wright, chairman of the board's policy committee, said he hopes a commencement policy can be drafted by the first of the year. "I'm not sure how we will go about writing that policy yet, but I would like to see a committee."

His preference for a committee was echoed by representatives of three teacher organizations speaking at the meeting.

Jo Peukert, president of the Community Teachers Association, read a statement of concern on behalf of her group.

Brenda Woemmel, president of the Cape National Education Association said, "There were no winners. No one in our community or on our staff is opposed to compassion. We could have used more time in discussion in this case.

"Had the board sat down and deliberated, after hearing from its many constituencies, the decision certainly would have been received in a better frame of mine," Woemmel said.

Larry Clemens, representing the faculty at Central High School, said of the decision to change the commencement practice, "It seems to have been done in haste."

He said faculty members at the high school would like to see a thorough discussion of the issue and its ramifications before any formal policy is made.

Board President Ed Thompson said, "When Dr. Clark came on board, we were told by the community that changes have to be made. We brought in someone who could make changes."

Now, Thompson said, people are telling him change is impossible with Clark at the helm.

Thompson said he does not regret the decision and still feels it was the right thing to do.

"When we are talking about people's kids, most people are passionate about their kids," Thompson said. "Passionate does not always equal logical."