Andover Townsman, Andover, MA

News

Summer school ahead, girl wants to graduate with her class: Against policy, says Andover system

By Brian Messenger
Staff writer
Published: May 29, 2008

Sarah Pearson has already paid for her cap and gown.

But unlike the majority of her Andover High classmates, the 18-year-old senior said she was told May 23 by the school administration that she won't participate in the June 2 graduation ceremony at Tsongas Arena in Lowell.

Two credits shy of the district's four-year, 26-credit high school graduation requirement, Pearson will have to watch from the stands — even though she plans to take an English and child care class this summer to earn her diploma, she said.

"I honestly don't know what to chock it up to," Pearson said. "I own this. I'm two credits short, and I completely get that. But I don't know who it's harming. I've been in the Andover school system since kindergarten. I've been with these kids my whole life. I would get it if I was finishing in the fall, but I'm getting an '08 diploma.

"Who's it hurting?" Pearson asked. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing."

Pearson said at least two other students in her class are in a similar situation. She said she attended the prom and is allowed to participate in the various senior events leading up to graduation.

After visiting Superintendent Claudia Bach's office May 27 to learn more about Andover's graduation requirement policy, Pearson and her mother, Lynda McNeil, said they plan to lobby the School Committee to make an exception, though it doesn't appear the School Committee will do so.

"I've put in the time; I've put in the 12 years," Pearson said. "I'm not giving up without a fight. Knowing that it's more than just me makes me want to fight harder."

On May 26, Pearson started an online petition seeking support for her cause. A total of 118 AHS students and alumni signed up in the first day, she said.

"It's nice to know that I have the support," Pearson said. "The student body's been amazing and my family, I couldn't ask for more support. The school's basically taking the stance that there's nothing they can do about it. They're putting it on the School Committee."

Every year a small number of students fail to meet the credit requirement, AHS Principal Peter Anderson said, and every year those students do not participate in the graduation ceremony.

"Without having earned those 26 credits we do not feel they have met the requirement for graduation," Anderson said. "That's not to say we're closing the door on them. We do extend to them a diploma upon completion of those requirements at any point in the future."

"The principal is following what we have done for as long as I've been here, and I'm sure for longer than that," Bach said. "He's simply following the process that we've used all along. Every year a student might not have the credits to graduate. That's unfortunate. We are obviously always sorry about that, but that's what we follow."

While at least 26 credits are required to graduate, Pearson and McNeil said there is no official policy stating that a student must be excluded from the graduation ceremony without the necessary credits.

A two-third vote of approval is required for the School Committee to make an exception to policy, according to Chairwoman Deb Silberstein, who said she was unfamiliar with Pearson's situation.

Since she joined the School Committee in March 2004, Silberstein said she does not recall an exception being made for a graduating senior. "I also don't recall any requests coming forward," Silberstein said.

School Committee member Dennis Forgue said he would have to read the graduation-requirement policy before commenting on Pearson's situation.

With the next School Committee meeting scheduled for June 3, the day after graduation, committee member Arthur Barber said it would be difficult to make an exception in time for Pearson and other students.

"Even if you wanted to, you'd have to wait," Barber said. "How would we even do that? We'd have to call a special School Committee meeting. It would have to be posted Thursday or Friday. Personally, I don't even know if I could go."

Barber also said it is common practice for the School Committee to bring up a proposed policy decision at one meeting and vote on it at another, which would add additional delay — or an additional policy exception.

"As a parent, I really feel for the girl, but it's not easy," Barber said.

Pearson transferred to Methuen High for two months in January, participating in six classes, but upon returning to Andover High earlier this year none of her credits transferred, she said.

In the summer of 2006, between her sophomore and junior years, Pearson lost her father to prostate cancer. McNeil said Pearson's father was diagnosed with cancer when she was a freshman.

"Her whole high school experience has really been colored by that," McNeil said. "I'd be surprised if some of the kids in the same boat as Sarah didn't have some life stuff going on."

Pearson said she has had the support of her school guidance counselor for four years. Anderson also has been helpful this spring, she said.

"He's basically done everything in his power," Pearson said.

Pearson hopes to attend Northern Essex Community College and study accounting before transferring to University of Massachusetts Lowell.

She said she became emotional when told she'd be unable to participate in the graduation ceremony.

"I left the school crying and came home," Pearson said. "For two months, I've been thinking, 'Great, if I buckle down and do this, I can walk.' How do you do that to somebody? My mom's planning a party."

Pearson said she planned to contact members of the School Committee this week.

"I have to get on this," she said.

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