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Forest Park SD 91 apologizes after 5 middle‑school graduates were initially denied diplomas over unpaid fees; board orders immediate distribution and policy fix
Summary
Board members said withholding diplomas for unpaid fees violated Illinois law after five graduates were not given diplomas; the board apologized to families, directed immediate distribution, and pledged a policy review this summer and fall to prevent recurrence.
A Forest Park School District 91 board member apologized Tuesday after discovering five Forest Park Middle School students were not given diplomas at commencement because of outstanding district fees.
The presiding board member said they consulted district counsel and determined that withholding diplomas for unpaid fees is prohibited under Illinois law and called the incident a “governance failure.” The board member said they personally contacted each affected family, apologized, and directed the superintendent to instruct the principal to distribute the diplomas immediately.
The board announced it will review and update district policies to prevent similar incidents, with a systematic policy review planned for late summer and early fall 2026 to align written procedures with Illinois requirements and the board’s equity goals. "We will be reviewing and updating district policy to ensure this cannot happen again," the presiding member said.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Hubbard, speaking on the district’s broader operations, said the district will examine the procedures that allowed fees to block diploma distribution and identify where staff or policy failed to stop it. The board emphasized the decision to distribute diplomas immediately and take remedial action rather than wait for later meetings.
Board members framed the episode as both a legal and ethical lapse. One board member said the district “owns that” failure and committed to corrective steps. The board did not announce disciplinary actions but said policy and procedural gaps will be addressed during the upcoming policy review process.
The incident was raised during the meeting’s items for discussion; the board stressed that student ceremonies and recognitions should not be subject to fee‑collection holds and asked administration to report back with recommended policy changes.
The board’s action followed guidance cited from the Illinois School Code referenced during the meeting; the board also noted it had sought legal counsel to confirm the prohibition on withholding diplomas for unpaid fees. The immediate next steps are distribution of the five diplomas and a written review of how procedures and communications will change to ensure compliance with law and district values.
