Stevensville School District 

INSTRUCTION  

Participation in Commencement Exercises

Statement of Policy

A student’s right to participate in a commencement exercise of the graduating class at Stevensville High School is an honor. As such, participation in this ceremony is reserved for those members of the graduating class who have completed all state and local requirements for graduation before the date of the ceremony. Students who complete their requirements after the date of commencement exercises will receive their diplomas at that time.

Organization and Content of Commencement Exercises

The school district will permit students to honor their American Indian heritage through the display of culturally significant tribal regalia at commencement ceremonies. Any item that promotes drug use, weapon use, threats of violence, sexual harassment, bullying, or other intimidation, or violates another district policy, state, or federal law may not be worn during graduation.

The school administration may invite graduating students to participate in high school graduation exercises according to academic class standing or class officer status. Any student who, because of academic class standing, is requested to participate may choose to decline the invitation.

The school administrators will review presentations and specific content and may advise participants about appropriate language for the audience and occasion. Students selected to participate may choose to deliver an address, poem, reading, song, musical presentation, or any other pronouncement of their choosing.

The printed program for a commencement exercise will include the following paragraphs:

Any presentation by participants of graduation exercises is the private expression of an individual participant and does not necessarily reflect any official position of the District, its Board, administration, or employees, nor does it necessarily indicate the views of any other graduates.

The Board recognizes that at graduation time and throughout the course of the educational process, there will be instances when religious values, religious practices, and religious persons will have some interaction with the public schools and students. The Board, while not endorsing any religion, recognizes the rights of individuals to have the freedom to express their individual political, social, or religious views.

Legal Reference:
Art. II, Sec. 5, Montana Constitution – Freedom of religion
Art. X, Sec. 7, Montana Constitution – Nondiscrimination in education
§ 20-5-201(3), MCA Duties and Sanctions
§ 20-1-308, MCA Religious instruction released time program
§ 20-7-112, MCA Sectarian publications prohibited and prayer permitted

Policy History:
Adopted on: March 14, 2017
Reviewed on: February 14, 2017; September 12, 2023
Revised on: October 10, 2023