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Exchange student asks Granbury ISD to allow her to walk in GHS 2026 commencement
Summary
An 18‑year‑old French exchange student asked the Granbury ISD board to let her participate in Granbury High School's 2026 graduation ceremony (to 'walk across the stage') despite not meeting local credit requirements to receive a diploma; the board said changing participation rules would require a local policy amendment and no action was taken.
An 18‑year‑old French exchange student identified in public comment as Eva asked the Granbury Independent School District board on Monday to allow her to participate in Granbury High School's 2026 commencement ceremony even though she does not meet local credit requirements to receive a diploma.
"I just ask to be able to participate in the GHS 2026 graduation ceremony. I don't ask for any diploma. I just ask to be able to participate and be included as all the other seniors," Eva said during the public‑comment portion of the meeting.
The request prompted questions from board members and staff about district policy. The superintendent and a board member pointed to the district's local policy (FM local), which, as read aloud at the meeting, allows a student who has ‘‘satisfactorily completed all coursework requirements for graduation but has failed to meet applicable state testing requirements’’ to participate in commencement activities. The student seeking to walk, board members said, has not completed the district's coursework requirement that policy references.
The superintendent advised the board that allowing a student who has not completed required coursework to participate would require either a policy amendment or an explicit board exception. "If the board wants to move that direction we would have to update this policy," a board member said during the discussion, noting that adding language such as "as approved by the board" could address individual cases but also might open the door to other exception requests.
The student's host-family representative, Ross K., and the student's local exchange coordinator urged the board to consider recognition that does not confer a diploma. Ross K. said other districts allow exchange students to be recognized at commencement without being certified as graduates and added that the Texas Education Agency has not prohibited exchange students from participating in ceremonies. "We just simply think that can't we do both? Can't we honor the students that are graduating and also allow the students that don't meet the requirements ... to have the opportunity to experience one of the most important things in their lives," Ross K. told trustees.
Board members expressed sympathy for the student and asked staff to research how other districts handle exchange students at commencement. The superintendent said a parent meeting for the district's new virtual/hybrid high‑school program was under way and reiterated that the district would post any future agenda and follow notice requirements.
No formal action or vote was taken on the student's request at the meeting. Board members said the matter could be brought back as a future agenda item if they decide to pursue a policy change, and the superintendent said she would post related items on a future agenda if appropriate.
