Middletown BOE Withholding Diplomas From MHSS Co-Class-Presidents

Middletown High School South Co-Class Presidents Eric Dominach and Mike Sebastiano, are being threatened with the withholding of their diplomas by the Middletown Board of Education(BOE)for given an unapproved speech during graduation ceremonies last week.

The speech has been deemed somewhat inappropriate and is being called "bullying" by the BOE because Dominach and Sebastiano mentioned fellow classmates and made comments about administration and school culture.

This incident was brought to my attention this morning by a fellow classmate of theirs who wished to remain anonymous but who provided a Facebook link to a video of the speech, which you can watch HERE if you have a Facebook account.

My initial reaction to the speech after seeing the video is that it was a playful attempt at saying good-bye to friends and faculty with a little inside humor and wittiness. It was somewhat enjoyable to listen to; it was cleverly done and by the reaction of those in attendance seemed to go over well.

Was it as bad or inappropriate as the BOE may think? I don't think so, it was two kids talking to their friends in a way that kids do today, with references to POP culture and texting shorthand.

Is the BOE over reacting slightly? Yes and No. I understand that members of the BOE and some school faculty/administrators are upset that Dominach and Sebastiano went ahead on their own and delivered a speech that was not approved of by those in charge and rightfully so, they are taking action to send a message. But what these kids did wasn't, in my opinion, viscous, vindictive or mean spirited in anyway and it certainly wasn't bullying.

I say that the BOE should mail these guys their diplomas and be done with it, why create a mountain out of a mole hill? Why give parents and students anymore reasons to disagree with the actions of the BOE then they need to, seeing how many of the decisions made in the past year have been somewhat questionable.

I'm sure that the message has been sent, loud and clear, to future class presidents that they need to abide by the wishes of those in charge and not deliver a speech that wasn't first approved.

Make the announcement at tonight's Board of Education meeting (7:00 at MHSN) that they will be receiving their diplomas and be done with it.

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UPDATE 4:45pm

According to Facebook page "Operation Get Eric and Mike a Diploma" - Eric Dominach posted the following message about 40 minutes ago: 

We have Received our diplomas due to large support from the community and no complaints about our speech. I would like to thank everyone who said they would come support us. It really mean a lot and I am proud to say I graduated today. Thank you all.