SCHOOL BOARD WILL SET CRITERA FOR COMMENCMENT

Cape Girardeau Central High School seniors will complete graduation requirements prior to participating in commencement, if a new policy is adopted.

Superintendent Neyland Clark said at Monday's school board meeting that the proposal is back in the hands of a high school committee drafting a suggested policy.

But, he said, the committee is recommending students complete all graduation requirements to be eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony.

The proposal also spells out safeguards so that parents and students know well in advance if students are in danger of not completing the requirements.

Clark said the policy is being revised to include a provision in case someone moves into the district during his or her senior year and is in contention for valedictorian or salutatorian.

Clark expects to have a recommendation for the board at the April meeting.

Commencement is set for May 26.

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 the superintendent and endorsed by school board members. Clark and board member Kathy Swan knew personally one of the students involved.

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.

The school has no written policy pertaining to commencement.