Macon school leaders OK plan to recognize Rutland exchange students at graduation

After weeks of online discourse, the Bibb County School District approved a resolution to formally recognize international exchange students at Rutland High School in an upcoming graduation ceremony.

During a called meeting Monday, the board voted 6-1 to recognize foreign exchange students at the school’s May 21 commencement event. They upheld district policy stating that exchange students may receive academic credit but are not eligible to earn a diploma or participate in commencement.

The students will not be considered graduates of Bibb County Schools and will not walk or be presented as graduates during the ceremony. Instead, they will be asked to stand and be acknowledged for their presence and contributions to Rutland High School as foreign exchange students this year, district spokesperson Stephanie Hartley said in an email Wednesday.

Board member Myrtice Johnson cast the lone opposing vote, while board member Sundra Woodford abstained, according to Hartley. The remaining six members voted in favor.

Hartley said the recently approved resolution pertains only to Rutland High’s commencement ceremony in May.

Once finalized, the resolution will be posted to the district’s website and made available to the public, she added.

District leadership has not said whether similar accommodations will be applied to future exchange students.

The decision follows weeks of community attention sparked by an April 25 Facebook post from Briana Thompson-Sears, who hosted two Rutland High School exchange students this year. She said they were told the students could not participate in Rutland’s graduation ceremony despite taking part in other senior-year activities.

The post even drew the attention of Superintendent Dan Sims, who said in a Facebook comment that discussions to address the issue were ongoing with families and students.

Thompson-Sears said those discussions included possible alternatives for the students, such as a pre-ceremony senior recognition or a ceremonial role as a class guide, though the district maintained its policy, according to previous reporting by The Telegraph.

When reached by The Telegraph Wednesday, Thompson-Sears declined to provide further comment.

Why a board member supported the motion

Board member Henry Ficklin, who motioned the resolution, argued that honoring the students’ year of participation is both a matter of kindness and a reflection of the district’s shared values.

“We’re not giving them diplomas because that was stated in the agreement they made when they came here, but that does not exempt them from being recognized with students that they have interacted with for a school year and been involved in many school activities,” Ficklin told The Telegraph.

Ficklin said he does not oppose the students walking across stage and suggested options to honor them, like calling their names or giving them a written thank you note.

“For them to not be recognized at the major ceremony when they have had a major contribution at the school before they go back to their home countries, I think it’s less than what we are as Americans,” Ficklin said. “We could do better than that.”

Ficklin tied the issue to the Sister Cities program started under President Dwight D. Eisenhower to build citizen-to-citizen ties between countries. Macon and Macon, France signed a Sister Cities International agreement in 1972.

He framed the students’ recognition as part of a broader effort to strengthen international relationships and uphold the spirit of exchange programs.

“There’s nothing wrong with being kind to people and showing them that we appreciate the development of friendship, which tightens things in our country,” Ficklin said.