SLIPPERY ROCK -- In the first year that Slippery Rock High School will officially honor just one valedictorian, the student receiving that honor wants to share it.

Valedictorian Ben Jarrett made the request for Ken Hiser, salutatorian, to be named co-valedictorian. Jarrett addressed Slippery Rock School Board members during a May 17 meeting.

Jarrett said that since he and Hiser took the same classes and received straight A's, they should share the honor.

A new policy in effect this school year provides for naming only one valedictorian, with grade point average determining the honored student.

After some discussion on the matter, the majority of board members decided not to make the exception.

Board president Tom Reiber opened the discussion, stating that the boys' GPAs were only a hundredth of a point different from each other.

Board member Tammy Orloski thought the board should grant the exception, arguing that the GPAs were so close and Ken Hiser had a perfect SAT score.

Superintendent Lee Beaton said administrators were opposed because it took the board considerable time to develop the new policy.

Beaton also said it would set a dangerous precedent if next year's honoree didn't want to share the title.

Board member John Youngman said the board has been through years of controversy while having more than one valedictorian.

"I think the young man that was here (Jarrett) is a hero but we should stick to our guns," he said.

Before the latest policy, the valedictorian honor was determined by several factors, including how many advanced placement classes were taken, whether the student had straight A's and the average percentage of the grades in a senior year. Determining by grade point average is much easier, he said.

Business manager Paul Cessar remembered one year when there were six co-valedictorians.

Slippery Rock High's graduation date is June 5.