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Board refers NHS/graduation regalia debate to policy committee after extensive discussion
Summary
After prolonged debate on whether National Honor Society stoles and other club regalia should be allowed at Hermiston High School graduation, the Hermiston School District board voted 5'2 to refer the Graduation Exercises policy to the policy committee with administrative input.
The Hermiston School District Board of Directors on April 14 debated whether seniors should be permitted to wear National Honor Society (NHS) stoles at graduation and whether similar regalia should be available to other student clubs. After more than an hour of discussion, the board voted to refer the Graduation Exercises policy to the board's policy committee for development of recommended language and administrative input; the referral passed 5' 2.
The study item began with a board member noting that last year NHS students were not permitted to wear stoles at graduation and that the decision interrupted a long-standing tradition. Multiple directors and other commenters weighed competing concerns: honoring a long tradition for NHS and acknowledging students' achievements versus equity and administrative practicality.
Board members who supported reinstating NHS stoles or expanding regalia said recognition motivates students, showcases accomplishments and reflects community traditions. Those who opposed a narrow carve-out argued permitting one organization's regalia raises fairness questions for other clubs, and that creating policy without administrative input could put staff in a difficult position during graduation logistics.
The board discussed possible middle-ground approaches: allow club regalia but require a common methodology (for example, a single stole color for clubs with custom patches) or set attributes a club must meet (scholarship, leadership, service) to qualify for regalia. The Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA) policy advisors were referenced by a director who said OSBA indicated it would be permissible for a board to carve an exception if the board chose to do so.
A motion to refer the matter to the policy committee and to include administration input passed after an amendment limiting the timeline so the committee would not be expected to return a decision by the next meeting (board discussion indicated May as the earliest reasonable timeframe). The board named the policy committee as Miss Vanderstell, Mr. Hurst and Mr. Gardner.
Ending: The board's referral does not change practice immediately; the policy committee will work with administration on draft policy language and return recommendations to the full board at a future meeting.
