Senior ranking policy questioned

DOUBLE SPRINGS    -  The fairness of a policy regarding ranking students in line for valedictorian and salutatorian was questioned by a concerned parent, who spoke out at the March 31, meeting of the Winston County Board of Education.
Donald Milne, whose son is a senior at Meek High School,  approached the board, while being reminded by Board President Joey Boteler of the rules for addressing the board.
“Mr. Milne, we’ll allot you five minutes,” Boteler informed him. “There will not be any decisions made tonight. We’ll take it under consideration and get back with you at a later date.”
Milne began his address to Winston County Schools  Superintendent Greg Pendley and board members stating he was concerned that the county school system cuts its ranking system for students off after the first semester of the students’ senior year instead of waiting until the end of the school year.

Milne explained he did not know that policy was in place when his family moved to Winston County.
“My son came home and told us he was ranked 4th in his class.  We thought he had time to change (it),” Milne said.
Milne’s son is also taking college-level classes at Wallace State, he added. His son then informed him that the cut-off for the ranking system was after the first semester of  his current high school senior year, Milne further informed the superintendent and board.
In the school system where his son attended before coming to MHS, the cutoff time for student rankings continued until the end of the school year, Milne informed the superintendent and board.
“That is the case with most school systems surrounding Winston County,” Milne pointed out. “I am asking you guys to look at that because my son has worked really hard.  He didn’t move here with the intentions of ranking at all.
“He thinks it would be fair for one and all,” Milne continued. “The policy you guys have in place is outdated. There is not  a person in this room who could read that policy and understand it.
“I have talked with three members of the AEA (Alabama Education Association) and they read it,” Milne pointed out.  “They are actually the ones who found it for me. It’s not in the student handbook. It’s not in the school book. Most parents don’t even know that it exists.”
“I just wish my son had the same opportunity,” Milne stated. “The only reason I am questioning this is because he (my son) has decided it is important to him at this point.
“My position on this is to challenge this to whatever avenue we have to,” Milne pointed out. “I hope this is where it ends, with you.”
Milne stated his goal was not to bring any negativity to the school system or county.  Milne then stated it had taken him three weeks, one cancelled meeting and 15 unanswered phone calls in order to bring this issue before the board.
“I think that is excessive,” he stated. “I gave plenty of time. I wasn’t being harassing. I’ve  called, two or three days later, called back and all those calls went unanswered, unreturned,” Milne pointed out.
“My meeting that was cancelled, I was a mile away. I flew home that day early.  I didn’t even receive an apology until it became apparent I was not going to give this up,” Milne continued.
Milne further stated his son’s ranking may not change, even if requirements continued until the end of the year.
“You’re cutting it off for the sake of 10 students. The rest of the students do not have an opportunity of moving their ranking up,” Milne said.
Other schools, Milne added, give students credit for the fourth full year, instead of cutting of requirements after the first semester.
After Milne addressed these concerns, he thanked the board for the opportunity to speak, then left the meeting room.
Pendley told the board  he wanted to make something clear concerning what Milne had said about a meeting being cancelled and calls going unanswered.
“He was referencing me,” Pendley said. “I called him back very quickly, and I explained to him what our policy and procedures are.“  Pendley continued that other school officials had also explained those policies and procedures to Milne.
Concerning the comments Milne made about a cancelled meeting, Pendley explained that he was scheduled to meet with Milne about the issue, but 30 minutes before the meeting had to cancel it due to a conflict.
“When he said there was no correspondence, that is ridiculous,” Pendley stated. “I called (Milne), talked to him, set a meeting. We had spring break.  I wasn’t here and he didn’t have my cell number.
“I saw the note on my desk and I called. He wanted to be on the agenda, and I said that’s fine,” Pendley added.
“It is very simple,” Pendley stated. “To make any kind of a change, he has nothing that would merit.  I understand that is his child, and we all know how that is.  But, in saying that, he was contacted. He was spoken to. It was not a neglectful thing from anyone in our system.”
According to the Winston County Schools policy regarding procedure for determination of candidates, “grades earned in credit bearing classes from the first term of 8th grade through the first semester of 12th grade in core classes will be used in calculations. The grade point average (GPA) is calculated by dividing the total amount of grade points earned by the total amount of credits attempted.
“The candidates must have been enrolled at the local high school for one full school year prior to the date of their graduation,” the policy noted.
After the meeting, Pendley explained, “We as a school system, and most school systems do end at the end of the first semester because of scholarship opportunities. Some of them end far more quickly than we do.
“Having been a counselor at one point, I understand scholarships have to be turned in no later than March sometimes, so if we don’t cut that and let them know their ranking, they don’t have the opportunity to do that,” Pendley continued.
Valedictorians, as well as salutatorians (those with the top two GPAs) automatically receive scholarships, Pendley further explained.
“So, we’re not going to punish those students,” Pendley pointed out. “Their GPA follows them all the way until the end of school.”
Pendley noted he understood a parent wanting what was best for their child.
“If I did something for one student, then I would do for all, which would obviously cause chaos.” Pendley stated.