Gainesville school board reexamines valedictorian decision

Gainesville school board members may reverse a principal's decision to have two students share the honor of valedictorian.   

Parents packed the school board meeting Tuesday night. They're upset that Gainesville High School senior Cody Stephens is being asked to share the title.

Stephens has the highest GPA at the school. But another student, who has taken more classes, is one-one hundredth of a point behind, so the principal named the two co-valedictorians, according to the school.

The decision angered many, and community members have rallied in support of Stephens.

"He has worked hard for this honor, and it is an honor. He should be the sole valedictorian of his senior class, and I will fight for that," his mother, Valerie, said.

• VOTE: Should the Gainesville school board reverse its decision?
• PDF: Selection rules for Gainesville H.S. valedictorian

Stephens said the issue is likely more important to his mother than himself. He does worry about the image of sharing the honors, though.

"I've read that there hasn't been a single black valedictorian in city of Gainesville, so that would be a big deal to other people," Stephens told Channel 2’s Tony Thomas.

The school board will announce a final decision next week.