JACKSON TWP — Any graduating senior in the Seneca Valley School District will be able to audition for a shot at speaking during commencement if a potential new policy is approved next month.

The school board voted 7-0 Monday night to approve the final reading of the policy which determines how student speakers are chosen for commencement.

The board will vote next month on final approval of the policy.

On Monday, the board voted 7-0 in favor of the final reading, which Jim Nickel, board president, modified to continue using the valedictorian and salutatorian as commencement speakers for the upcoming school year.

Starting in the 2023-24 school year, any graduating senior without significant discipline issues would be able to audition to speak at commencement.

Currently, the valedictorian, salutatorian and one student at large who auditions serve as the three student speakers at commencement.

Matt McKinley, assistant superintendent, requested the new procedure at last week’s meeting because ties can occur for the top two academic spots at the end of each school year.

That situation causes stress for students and administrators during the rush to figure out which students should speak at commencement.

McKinley said a valedictorian and salutatorian will continue to be announced at the end of each year once the new process begins, but they will no longer be the automatic speakers at commencement.

Board member Eric DiTullio suggested that in the event of a tie in the valedictorian and salutatorian slots, the students cast lots to determine who will speak at graduation.

McKinley said there were two students tied for valedictorian and two for salutatorian in the last school year, but that number could rise as high as five in each category.

He said while he appreciates the contention by some board members that the top students have earned the right to speak at commencement through hard work, he would not agree with DiTullio’s suggestion.

“To decide through casting lots, I would have a tough time accepting that,” McKinley said.

If the policy is approved and commencement speakers are determined through audition beginning in 2023-24, the number of student speakers will remain at three.