NewsLine staff
School Board Vice Chair Joe Zimmerman proposed Tuesday allowing graduating seniors with verified military enlistments to wear authorized military stoles, cords and regalia during commencement ceremonies.
The proposal, presented at the Nov. 18 School Board meeting, would honor students committed to military service while maintaining graduation ceremony standards, Zimmerman said in a news release.
“When one of our seniors raises their right hand and commits to serving this nation, that deserves to be honored,” Zimmerman said in the release. “This policy ensures schools give our students the recognition they’ve earned while preserving the structure and decorum of graduation.”
Zimmerman said the proposal aligns with existing state law. Florida Senate Bill 292 prevents school districts from prohibiting students from wearing dress military uniforms at graduation.
Similar policies exist in other Florida districts. Flagler County Schools lists “Military: Any branch of service” as an approved graduation stole and includes a VFW Active Military Service Commitment cord in its official regalia guidelines.
“Other districts in Florida have already taken steps to honor students entering the armed forces,” Zimmerman said. “Flagler County has demonstrated that a clear and respectful policy can both honor military-bound students and maintain the formality of the ceremony.”
The proposal will be discussed at a future meeting. If adopted, the policy would take effect with the next graduating class.
Zimmerman encouraged parents, veterans and community members to participate as the district considers the policy.
