Former students ask to walk at Yamhill Carlton graduation; board upholds superintendent denial

Two young former students, who identified themselves in remarks as Janie and Ella Faulkner, asked the Yamhill Carlton SD 1 board to allow them to participate in this year’s graduation with the district’s graduating class. "We are here to request the opportunity to walk in the Anvil Carlton graduation ceremony with this year's graduating class," one of the presenters said, explaining they moved to online schooling for scheduling reasons tied to competitive athletics and employment.

Board members questioned what in-district alternatives had been offered and whether district staff had earlier indicated the request would be approved. An agency official summarized the policy framework, saying "policy IKF is the policy around graduation," and noting that while IKF addresses diploma requirements it does not explicitly prescribe who may participate in ceremonies. The official also cited district policy JECAA on nondistrict students and policy BFE delegating decisions to the superintendent when a policy is silent.

After discussion about fairness, precedent and administrative authority a board member moved to find the complaint well founded and overturn the superintendent’s decision; a second was offered. The voice vote split the board and the presiding officer stated the motion failed, meaning the superintendent’s denial remains in effect. The students were thanked for their presentation and the board agreed to consider whether a clearer written policy should be adopted to guide similar requests in the future.