JAY – School Committee members including two student representatives voted 6-1 to approve a policy governing participation in high school graduation ceremonies after eliminating a paragraph dealing with extenuating circumstances.

Committee member Tammy Dwinal-Shufelt opposed the policy without the paragraph, saying she had mixed feelings and could think of some situations that may arise. She said what if a senior was diagnosed with a terminal illness and was unable to meet graduation requirements even though he or she was a good student prior to the illness.

Chairwoman Mary Redmond-Luce said students coming into their senior year should already have the majority of their credits.

The paragraph struck from the policy was “Students with extenuating circumstances that make them ineligible to participate in graduation under this policy may request a review of the personal circumstances by the building principal and the superintendent of schools. The request to participate in a walking capacity during the ceremony may be considered, granted or denied by the principal and superintendent.”

Committee member Marga Hutchinson met with a high school academic panel, which had solicited feedback from the entire high school staff. The information was used to frame recommendations for changes to the policy draft, which was then subsequently submitted to the school Community Council for vote.

Hutchinson said if there is wiggle room in the policy there is potential for abuse.

“To be consistent, we need a policy that is black and white,” Hutchinson said.

A survey of high school staff found 24 agreed the paragraph should be eliminated and 13 thought it should stay, Hutchinson said.

A couple of students on the academic panel felt that the paragraph should be eliminated, School Committee student member Katie Nemi said. She was one of the students.

Fellow School Committee student member Justin Shink added that “Almost doesn’t count.”

Staff members said there are safeguards in place to help students meet graduation requirements, and students have ample time to complete those requirements, Hutchinson said. There is also ample warning time, and if a student gets that far behind, it’s because he or she didn’t try, Hutchinson said.

“You’re just allowing someone to be a slacker,” Nemi said. “You have to be fair to everybody.”

Redmond-Luce said she wanted to have a policy that is clearly written.

Exceptions made in the past to allow a couple of students to participate in graduation ceremonies were not fair to all students, Redmond-Luce said.

“I really want the policy in black and white,” she said. “I want it to be a fair and consistent policy.”

Hutchinson said there was discussion on letting seniors who didn’t meet graduation requirements participate in other events related to graduation, just not in the actual ceremony.

The policy was approved with recommended changes.