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Families and veterans press Derry school board to allow military sashes at commencement; board pledges policy review
Summary
Multiple public commenters urged the Derry Area School District to change graduation dress code to permit military sashes/stoles; the board apologized for hurt feelings and directed the issue to the policy committee for further work and guidelines.
Several parents, students and veterans addressed the board urging a policy change to permit military recruitment sashes or stoles at commencement events, saying current rules prevented students and enlistees from wearing military regalia.
Sarah Piper, identified herself as a parent (resident) and said the district's restriction "took that away from them" and called for an apology. Abigail Piper, identified as a student at Derry Area High School, described feeling "so, so disappointed" that recruits could not wear sashes at graduation and said she viewed the rule as unfair when honor students are allowed sashes.
The board president, Mister Fry, apologized on behalf of the district board if the policy or its enforcement caused hurt, and said the district intends to work with military recruiters and the policy committee to produce guidelines. He said the administration aims to include military recognition in school award ceremonies first, with the goal of drafting guidelines that could allow appropriate participation in commencement once committee feedback is incorporated.
Board members and staff emphasized they wanted to balance honoring military service with consistent policy language and explained the subject will be discussed by the policy committee. No immediate policy change or formal vote was taken; the board directed staff and the policy committee to take feedback and consider guideline language for future commencement ceremonies and award events.
Several public speakers thanked the board for listening and urged timely consideration. The district stated it will bring the matter forward to the policy committee for drafting and stakeholder input.
