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Parent asks Wichita Falls ISD to permit national‑award cords at graduation
Summary
A parent urged the Wichita Falls ISD board during public comment to allow students to wear cords representing nationally recognized honors such as Eagle Scout and military academy appointments at graduation, saying such cords reflect years of leadership and service.
A Wichita Falls parent urged the school board to reconsider the district's graduation cord policy and allow cords that recognize long‑term, nationally recognized achievements.
"I respectfully ask the board to maybe consider allowing students to wear a cord that represent nationally recognized earned achievements such as Eagle Scout, military academy appointments, girls and boys state," Michael Mitchell said during the public comment period, citing his daughter's appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy and other students' accomplishments.
Mitchell told the trustees he does not intend to complain and that district staff have been "helpful and understanding," but asked that the board consider a minor policy change so students can visibly acknowledge honors earned outside school programs. He said the rank of Eagle Scout is earned by roughly 4% of scouts and represents sustained effort and leadership.
Board procedure prevents trustees from deliberating or deciding on non‑agendized matters during the public comment segment; no vote or formal action on graduation cord policy occurred at the meeting. Trustees did not immediately indicate a plan to place the issue on a future agenda.
