School Board Policy 910 -
Awarding of Honorary Diploma

Adopted: november 10, 2008
REVISED: february 8, 2016
Revised: April 16, 2021

I. Purpose 

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the awarding of honorary diplomas.

II. General Statement of Policy 

In the interest of recognizing individuals who have attended the White Bear Lake Area Public Schools or those schools which subsequently were made part of the White Bear Lake Public Schools, the School Board may, by approval of the Board at a regularly scheduled meeting, honor such individuals by the designation of an honorary diploma.

III. Definition

An honorary diploma shall be a recognition bestowed upon an individual consistent with the criteria in this policy. An honorary diploma shall not be a substitute for a regular diploma, nor shall it carry with it the meaning of a White Bear Lake Area Schools diploma as specified in Policy 613, Graduation Requirements.

IV. Legal Authority for Granting an Honorary Diploma

The authority to grant an honorary diploma shall be consistent with the applied powers granted by Minnesota State Statutes, and as described in Policy 201, Legal Status of the School Board.

V. Criteria for Awarding an Honorary Diploma

The School Board may, at its discretion, award an honorary diploma to an individual who meets all of the following criteria.

A. Attendance at a White Bear Lake Area Schools elementary or secondary school, or a school which subsequently was made a part of the school district, but did not graduate from a White Bear Lake High School; and

B. Demonstrated lifelong exemplary service to the community, state, or nationand

C. Demonstrates through this lifelong service character consistent with the School District’s mission statement and core values.

Cross References: 
WBLASB Policy 201 (Legal Status of the School Board)
WBLASB Policy 613 (Graduation Requirements)