NILES Officials await OK for vets' diplomas

The measure expands eligibility to Korean War veterans who left school to fight.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- School officials are ready to award high school diplomas to veterans, once legislators say it's OK.
State law allows boards of education to award diplomas to veterans of World War II whose education was interrupted by service to their country.
The catch is that the veterans must have attended high school in Ohio and still live in the state.
But the Ohio House has already passed a bill that would grant high school diplomas to veterans of the Korean War and to expand eligibility for diplomas to veterans who attended school in Ohio but no longer live in the Buckeye State.
"The House has already passed it, and the Senate is looking at it now," Niles Superintendent Patrick N. Guliano said.
Guliano said he's been working closely with Sgt. Wayne Westover of the Trumbull County Veterans Affairs Office to make sure once the resolution passes the Senate, Niles schools can start awarding diplomas to those who qualify.
"It's important we as a school district do what we can to promote veterans' rights," he said.
The measure
House Bill 75 was sponsored by several state legislators, including Reps. John A. Boccieri of New Middletown, D-61st, and Sandra Stabile Harwood of Niles, D-65th.
The bill would expand eligibility for diplomas to veterans who left school to serve in the armed forces, received an honorable discharge and did not receive a diploma. If a veteran who would normally qualify for a diploma has died, the bill allows boards of education to award it to living relatives.
It's not the first time the Niles board has awarded diplomas to veterans, Guliano said.
In January 2001, three veterans of World War II were honored at a public ceremony.
slshaulis@vindy.com