Parent urges Okemos board to allow non-junior/senior prom guests; board points to administrative policy and refers concern to policy committee

Kelly Rogers, a parent, used the Citizens' Address portion of the Okemos Public Schools Board meeting to ask trustees to reconsider prom guest rules that, she said, prevent seniors from bringing students who are not juniors or seniors.

"My child is a senior and... this does not seem fair," Rogers told the board, describing purchased tickets, plans for dinner and photos, and a relationship in which both families supported the student pair. She asked the board to "give the choice back to them" now or reconsider policy for future years.

Board response and next steps: Trustees said the prom restrictions are not a board-adopted policy. Trustee Winn noted that the board's policy manual contains a policy (5204) addressing student appearance and dress code but not the prom guest restriction at issue and that the prom rule appears to be an administrative decision rather than board policy. Trustee Winn said the policy committee will take up the concern and asked community members and trustees to provide input to the committee.

Why it matters: Prom is a traditionally significant event for seniors, and parents and students told the board the guest rule is limiting students' choices at a milestone event. The policy committee review will determine whether the practice should be adjusted or retained.

Speakers quoted or consulted for this article: Kelly Rogers (parent); Trustee Winn (board) and other trustees who responded during the meeting.

Ending: The board did not change the prom practice at the meeting; trustees directed the policy committee to review the issue and report back as appropriate.