Swampscott honor society errs again

SWAMPSCOTT – Once again the Swampscott High School chapter of the National Honor Society is at the center of controversy.The induction, which was scheduled for this week, has been postponed after a number of students were erroneously sent letters informing them they had been accepted into the elite group.According to school officials, eight students were sent acceptance letters due to a “clerical error.” The eight students in question should have been sent letters informing them they did not make the cut.SHS National Honor Society Advisor Linda Portnoy declined to comment except to say the induction ceremony has been scheduled for May 19.On Monday morning, when asked how many students were being inducted this year, Portnoy said “It has not been decided yet.”Principal Larry Murphy said the issue has been resolved.”We have a plan,” he said. “It’s been taken care of.”Murphy declined to comment on what the resolution was and whether the students who were erroneously invited to join the NHS would be inducted this spring.”We don’t want to embarrass any students,” he said. “It’s resolved. We worked with parents, students, the advisor (Portnoy) and teacher. We have come to an agreement we can all live with.”This is not the first time in recent years the NHS inductions at the high school have been mired in controversy. In March 2007 more than one member of the Swampscott chapter of the NHS ran afoul of the law for infractions, which included underage drinking, drug possession and vandalism. At that time some parents and members of the elite group were incensed students who had violated school substance abuse policy were allowed into the NHS.According to the NHS creed, it is more than an honor roll and members must be “of good character, uphold principals of morality and ethics, is cooperative, demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability, shows courtesy, concern and respect for others and generally maintains a good and clean lifestyle.”