BOARD POLICY 345.63

345.63 – Diplomas for Veterans

The Board of Education wishes to recognize current residents or former students of the School District of Fort Atkinson who left high school before completing graduation requirements for the purpose of serving in the U.S. armed forces during a war period. Accordingly, the Board will consider awarding a high school diploma to veterans who satisfy the criteria set forth in this policy. A person may be awarded a diploma under this policy even though he/she has not satisfied the diploma or graduation requirements under District policies and notwithstanding the graduation requirements of Section 118.33(1), Wisconsin Statutes. Further, a person may be awarded a diploma under this policy even if the person has already received a high school equivalency diploma after serving in the armed forces, if the person meets the other requirements of this policy.

In order to be considered for receipt of a diploma under this policy, a person must satisfy the following criteria:

1. The Board may award a diploma to a person who meets all of the following requirements:

a. Is at least 65 years old.

b. Attended high school in the school district or attended high school in Wisconsin and resides in the school district.

c. Left high school before receiving a high school diploma to join the U.S. armed forces during a war period (including, among others, World War II, the Korean Conflict, Vietnam War and Persian Gulf War).

d. Served on active duty under honorable conditions in the U.S. armed forces or in forces incorporated as part of the U.S. armed forces.

2. The Board may award, upon request, a high school diploma to a person who has died, but who, before dying, satisfied the conditions described in (1 b. – d.) above.

3. The Board may award a high school diploma to a person who already received a high school equivalency diploma after serving on active duty if the person meets the other conditions described in (1) above.

4. The Board may award a high school diploma to a person who is 55 years or older if that person has a service-connected disability and, with the exception of age, meets the following condition: A person who attended high school in the School District of Fort Atkinson or attended high school in the state and resides in the school district but left high school to join U.S. armed forces during a war period and served under honorable conditions.

A person requesting a diploma under this policy must submit that request in writing along with written information demonstrating that the veteran satisfies the above listed criteria.

The District Administrator shall determine whether a person requesting a diploma under this policy has satisfied the criteria outlined above. The Board will consider a request for a diploma under this policy from any person who has been determined by the District Administrator to have satisfied the criteria. The Board may also review any information submitted by the person and any information in District records relating to the person in deciding whether to grant a diploma under this policy.

Legal Ref.:   Section 118.33(1), 120.13(37), Wisconsin Statutes

Approved:    January 28, 2016