Students In Moyers Exempt From State Test After Parent's Deaths

Moyers Public Schools superintendent shared her concerns online and created a social media uproar.

Wednesday, April 23rd 2014, 6:50 pm

By: News 9


It was the Facebook post read around the state. Moyers Public Schools superintendent shared her concerns online and created a social media uproar.

Now those in the capitol city are speaking out. Close to 5,000 likes and 3,000 shares on one post originated from a town of about 450 people.

Posted Tuesday around 2:00pm superintendent of Moyers Public schools Donna Dudley wrote:

"I find myself in a very difficult position. We have a family of students whose parents were both killed in a car accident this week. "When our district test administrator called the State Department of Education to ask for an emergency exemption for these students, it was denied. This is not considered a reason for exemption by the SDE."

Dudley went on to write.. "I have made the decision to go against the SDE rules and exempt these students from taking their tests."

Seven hours later at 9:00 p.m. State Superintendent Janet Barresi heard about the situation.

"I'm just trying to take their circumstance into consideration but first and foremost the children....we just want those kids not to have any stress on them," said State Superintendent Janet Barresi.

Barresi has exempted the two students. She personally called Dudley. But Dudley told News 9, "I felt I had already handled the situation in my school. I just want people to know too much importance is being placed on this test."

Barresi felt the whole thing was a misunderstanding. Senator Jerry Ellis believes this situation out of his district should have never reached this level.

"Shouldn't have wasted time on this. Just crazy. Totally uncalled for. She needs to resign just like I said. Get her (Barresi) out of here," said Sen. Jerry Ellis.

Barresi also mentioned the exemption qualifications are now under review and she hopes each situation will be treated on an individual basis.

4/22/2014 Related Story: Some OK School Districts Still Upset Over State Testing Issues

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