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Resident urges Ohio County Schools to let Eagle Scout cords be worn at graduation; board agrees to consider policy change
Summary
A father told the board that Wheeling Park High School barred Eagle Scout cords at commencement; board members said they will place the issue on a future agenda for discussion and weighing pros and cons.
Gary Weakley told the Ohio County Board of Education that Wheeling Park High School does not allow graduating students to wear Eagle Scout cords during commencement ceremonies and urged the board to reconsider that policy. "No one can wear their Eagle Scout cords," Weakley said, describing the award's significance and asking the board to let recipients display the honor at graduation.
Board members responded during the members‑comments portion of the meeting. "That's something in general that's been brought to my attention many times over the years," said board member Molly, who asked that the matter be scheduled for a future meeting. Several other board members said they supported a discussion; the chair said the issue would be placed on an upcoming agenda so members can "weigh the pros and cons." No policy change was made at the Sept. 8 meeting.
Why it matters: wearing cords recognizes extracurricular achievement and can be meaningful to students and families. Board members noted competing considerations — ceremony decorum and consistent application of rules — and requested a formal agenda item so the board can examine current policy language and potential exemptions for recognized awards such as Eagle Scout cords.
What’s next: the board directed staff to add the graduation‑cords topic to a future meeting agenda for an open discussion; no formal decision or vote was taken Sept. 8.
Quotes
"I respectfully disagree, but we'll go by the rules because they were basically saying that…you weren't he wasn't good as a plump," Gary Weakley said recounting earlier communications; he added that he was asking the board to "consider the cords." "I wouldn't mind having a conversation about that at a future board meeting," Molly said in board comments.
Provenance
Public comment and board responses (topicintro: SEG 1025; topfinish: SEG 1219).
Speakers referenced
Gary Weakley (resident/public commenter); Molly (board member); Chair (board president).
