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Show Teachers, students divided on whether all seniors have earned caps and gowns by NAN CHALAT Record staff writer Does graduation day mean more than the awarding of a diploma? Would the importance of the ceremony be diminished by allowing students who have not earned diplomas march with their classmates? class-mates? Apparently the teachers, students and many parents at Park City High School are divided over the answers to these emotionally-charged questions. ques-tions. In the eyes of at least some of the teachers "allowing those students (who have not earned diplomas) to participate in the graduation activities would be a grave injustice." On the other hand, senior Robbie Smith, representing the high school .K student body, said, "Graduation is a once-in-a-lifetime event and the general consensus of the senior class is that we want our fellow classmates with us that day." The question came to a head at a meeting Tuesday night when the Board of Education was asked to review a new graduation policy. The policy calls for the institution of four kinds of certificates, including honors diplomas, diplomas, certificates certifi-cates of competency and state certificate of completion. Currently, three certificates are awarded and, . according to procedure set by the board last year, only those students qualifying for one of those certificates certifi-cates would be allowed to march in the graduation procession. The question originally was raised over concerns about transfer students stu-dents who had earned the 15 , course credits required by the state for graduation, but had not earned the 24 credits required by the Park City School District. The state certificate of completion was proposed propos-ed to cover those students. But Tuesay night the controversy was expanded to include not only the question of diplomas but of who should be allowed to march in cap and gown. High school principal Jack Dozier said six members of the senior class currently do not fit into any of the certificate- programs. Among thnsp stnHpnta was one who was not a transfer student, but who was two credits short of the Park City High School requirements. According to previous board policy, he would not be included in the June 7 graduation exercise. The parents of that student were present at the board meeting to ask that their son be allowed to participate in graduation exercise. They criticized the school for not notifying them sooner that he would not be allowed to graduate with his class. Dave Hanscom of the high school community council said the members of the council were "unanimous in supporting the current policy of allowing only those who have meet the graduation requirements pass through the line." Park City High School teacher and alumnus Hal Smith said, "Park City has been working hard to establish a tradition of excellence and I cannot support any action that would diminish the rewards of those who have worked so hard. "This is the 86th Park City High School graduation and the message is that anyone who is in that line has graduated. If you allow those who have not earned diplomas to walk, I don't know how you. will be able to look all those other alumni in the eye." After a 1 12 -hour discussion, the board voted to set up a review board to examine each individual case. The five-member committee will consist of board member Ed Axtell, high school principal Jack Dozier, and one representative each from the student body, the community council and the high school faculty. Any student who wishes to appeal his right to receive a diploma or to participate in this year's graduation ceremony will have the chance to do so before June 7. The board instructed school superintendent Tony Mitchell to draw up a new, more concise diploma certificate policy for next year. The board also advised the high shool that a clearer cumulative total of credits should be included on the student report cards. |