Committee will change graduation wording to recognize veterans broadly; will move to first read

The committee reviewed Policy 217 (graduation) and asked staff to change a provision that singled out World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War in the authorization to submit veterans' names for diplomas or special recognition.

A board member said the draft's language appeared to single out those conflicts and suggested the text be broadened — for example, by referencing "veterans of foreign wars" or adding "such as, but not limited to, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War" — so the policy remains timeless and covers subsequent conflicts. Staff noted that the current statutory language referenced those wars but that the board has local discretion to award diplomas and could adopt broader language to cover other veterans.

Members asked staff to make the wording change and to move the item to first reading. Staff also confirmed that applications for veteran recognition are typically verified, for example by Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) verification using DD Form 214 documentation.