Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Isaep Graduation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Superintendent reverses decision; ISAEP students will walk at graduation after public outcry
Summary
After several parents and staff urged the board to let ISAEP students participate in regular graduation, Superintendent Matthew Haas told the board he had instructed the school to allow those students to march with their classmates.
ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. — After public comment from parents and ISAEP staff expressing anger and disappointment over a school’s plan to hold a separate graduation ceremony for Individual Student Alternative Education Program (ISAEP) students, Albemarle County Superintendent Matthew Haas said on March 13, 2025, that he had instructed the school to allow ISAEP students to walk with their graduating class.
The decision followed several public comments from ISAEP families and teachers who said the school’s recently announced separate ceremony would dishonor signed educational agreements and harm students who already face health or social barriers. Jennifer Middlesworth, the ISAEP teacher for the division, told the board the separate ceremony was announced "just yesterday" and that the change "dishonors current signed educational plans and erodes trust between staff, students, families and community partners." Parent Susan Tracy described her daughter’s serious medical conditions and asked the board to honor the commitment that had been made for students to march with their class.
"I was made aware of these decisions yesterday," Haas said at the meeting. "It’s one school that was deciding not to have students march in graduation, and I informed [school leadership] this afternoon to let that school know that the students will be walking in graduation." Haas apologized to families at the meeting for the stress the decision had caused.
Board members and staff said the division had previously allowed ISAEP students to participate in main graduation ceremonies in recent years, and that Western High School had already obtained an exception so its ISAEP students could walk. Board Chair Kate Acuff and other members apologized to families for the last-minute confusion; Rebecca Berlin, who had overseen public comment, said, "School is for all children; graduation’s for all children — and all means all."
According to speakers, the county currently has 18 ISAEP students affected by the change, including nine students with individualized education programs (IEPs), one student with a Section 504 plan and three students on medical homebound status. Speakers said some families had already made travel and lodging plans for May 28 and that a separate ceremony was proposed for June 4.
Superintendent Haas said he had instructed the relevant principal and leadership to allow ISAEP students to march; the board did not take a formal vote on the matter during the meeting. Board members asked staff to follow up with affected families to confirm logistics.
Parents and teachers said the reversal was welcome but urged better communication and stakeholder engagement before future decisions that affect graduation plans. ISAEP staff said they would continue to work with families to make sure accommodations and recognition at graduation matched students’ plans and needs.
