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Human Rights Commission chair urges equal treatment for ALC graduates; board schedules special session
Summary
At the Pipestone school board meeting, Dave Andrews of the Human Rights Commission urged equal diplomas and treatment for ALC (alternative learning center) students; the superintendent confirmed a special work session will be scheduled to hear from ALC leaders.
Dave Andrews, who identified himself as chair of the Human Rights Commission, used the public forum to press the Pipestone Area School Board on how graduation ceremonies and diplomas are handled for students from the district’s alternative learning program.
"If all students meet the same requirements to graduate and receive equal diplomas and they've all met the curriculum and guidelines, we're precipitating the change," Andrews said, urging equal and fair treatment. He said his commission had raised the question with state-level contacts who said they had not previously encountered the same division in practice.
In response to questions raised during public comment and in later discussion, the superintendent told the board he has scheduled a special work session and invited ALC representatives — identified in the meeting as Cliff Harmony and Stephanie Strang — to present more information and answer outstanding questions. The superintendent said the district will compile historical attendance and other data to provide context for that session.
The meeting record does not include a policy change; instead, the board elected to request further information and a presentation from ALC representatives so the board can consider any proposed changes with full information.
What’s next: the superintendent will host the special work session with ALC leadership to clarify graduation practices and related questions raised by the Human Rights Commission.
