Coast Radio News – Graduation Controversy

Graduation controversy arises over missed deadline

A Florence man says he’s frustrated with a decision made by school administrators to not allow his daughter to participate in graduation ceremonies at Siuslaw High School.  Shayne Burnem’s 17 year old daughter Hannah opted last fall to graduate a year early.  He said she’s been working toward that goal all year.  But, the deadline for submitting all the required work was Tuesday evening.  A deadline he admits she missed.

Hanna will get her diploma next week according to dad… but he says she should get to walk.

Because of privacy laws, school officials cannot talk about any specifics relating to students.  But, Superintendent Ethel Angal did talk about the controversy and the policy.

          216 – “I understand that there are probably a lot of people that are really angry right now; and angry with me in specific, because it does fall to me.  My heart goes out to Hannah and to any child who hasn’t been able to meet the deadline.  She took on a hefty amount of work.  Everything that I’ve heard about her is that she is just a wonderful young woman.”

But, she said, the deadline is there for a reason.  It gives teachers and administrators time to make sure students have met all the requirements.  She also says it’s a life lesson and it would not send the right message to make an exception.

Angal knows there is a vocal campaign to “let Hannah walk”, but she says not all of the information is correct.

          215 – “I respond to it with a great deal of sorrow and frustration.  It’s very difficult when things are put out that are, um, less than accurate.”

 

Graduation at Siuslaw High School is this evening, 7 PM, doors open at 6 PM.  Angal said she has heard that Hannah would be in the audience, wearing her cap and gown; and that is her right.  But she also expressed her hope that nothing would be done to disrupt the ceremony… something that is important to the other students and their families.

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A change in state law requiring background checks for most gun sales and transfers in Oregon will go into effect later this summer.  Board of County Commissioners chair Jay Bozievich (BO-zih-vitch) says when it does, don’t expect the county to enforce it.

210 – “Lane County’s unable to expend any county resources for the implementation or enforcement of Senate Bill 941.”

 

The law, signed by Governor Brown in May, transfers enforcement and follow-up of 941 to county and city governments.  Bozievich lobbied against the bill and when it looked like it would be approved, asked for financial help.

          211 – “And one of the changes I lobbied for was to provide money with the bill if they were going to mandate action at the county level.”

 

Commissioners earlier this week approved a resolution barring enforcement. They also took a firm, but split stand, on additional controls.

          212 – “At the same time the resolution restates our affirmation of folks’ rights to bear arms under the Oregon and the U.S. Constitution.”

 

Commissioner Peter Sorenson was the sole “no” vote.

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Tomorrow is National Trails Day; that means there will be no day use fees, access fees, or even camping fees charged at many recreation areas in the country.

Locally, it also means a popular event will be taking place.  Paul Burns with the Central Coast District of the Siuslaw National Forest says a large group of volunteers will be on hand tomorrow at Cleawox Lake with rods, bait, and even lunch to encourage youngsters to give angling a try.

The local Salmon Trout Enhancement Program… also known as STEP… will have more than 200 rods for loan.  There will also other activities aimed at exposing kids to the fun of fishing.

Free fishing… no license required for any age… is set for tomorrow from 8:30 to 2:30.

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