SAD 6 Board Meets with Superintendent

Justin Denney says the superintendent refused to give him his diploma because he took a small bow and blew a kiss to his family. When he approached the superintendent, he says she told him "There is no fooling around up here. Why should I give this to you?" Denney says he responded " Because I worked hard and deserve it." Denney says Lukas answered "No, you don't. Go sit down."

Another student, Tyler Lamy did not get his diploma after being questioned by a sheriff's deputy about whether he had brought a beach ball to the ceremony. Though it is a long-standing tradition at Bonny Eagle graduation to bounce beach balls through the audience, the students had to sign an agreement that they would not bring beach balls this year, in order to get their tickets to the graduation ceremony. Lamy purportedly denied any involvement with the beach balls, but was escorted out without his diploma anyway.

The graduation agreement the students had to sign also asked that students dress appropriately under their robes, be respectful, stated that anyone who disrupted the ceremony would be escorted out by security. There is nothing in the agreement about what cords could be worn around students necks. Honor students wore their honor cords, and 7 members of the recently crowned state championship track team wore cords Denney's mother had made for them to celebrate their victory. Lukas is quoted as saying that the students were told only honor students were supposed to don cords. Denney says he never heard that. His six teammates, who all wore their cords on stage after Denney was denied, were all given their diplomas.

The School Board met in executive session with the superintendent Thursday night. There was no vote on any action, as such votes must occur in public.

The school board and superintendent have called a meeting Monday night at 6pm at the middle school to hear from parents. Many parents we spoke with say they are angry over how the whole graduation ceremony was handled, and want a public apology from the superintendent.

Denney's father says the principal at Bonny Eagle called Denney's mother on the superintendent's behalf to say they want to get Justin's diploma to him as soon as possible and hoped they could put all of this behind them.

Denney's father, Carl Hoffses, says he'd like to see Lukas step down. He also want a public apology for the humiliation his son suffered. Lukas, who was said earlier this week to be on vacation, has not made any public statement.

Denney's father says the family has contacted attorney Dan Lilley. Lilley told us he is looking into whether the boys have any legal recourse in the matter.