Alyssa and Amanda Reta should be applauded and warmly welcomed into the graduation ceremonies for Buchanan High School.

The twins, who are developmentally disabled, are entitled to participate in the ceremony under education code specifications. Yet they are being barred from taking part by the Clovis Unified School District.

The state rule says special education students may participate in graduation, said Jill Larson, a consultant with the state Department of Education's assessment, evaluation and support unit.

The girls challenged themselves by taking a more demanding curriculum than they were required to pass in high school. In addition, they have passed the language arts portion of the exit exam and fulfilled all other graduation requirements. They are only lacking passing grades on the math portion.

Clovis Unified says the girls shouldn't walk because they haven't earned a full diploma and passed the test. We're not sure what brand of titanium the district officials' hearts are made of when they ignore the ed code provisions allowing them to make the right choice and instead impose their own cold-blooded regulations. Kelly Avants, a spokesman, said that in Clovis Unified, participation in graduation "is a privilege, not a right." She said the district's philosophy has been: "To allow participation in graduation for someone who is not getting a diploma is not doing that child any favor."

What is this, the Donald Trump school of public relations?

Thankfully, the girls have a determined father, Michael Reta, who went over the heads of the administrators and took their case to the Clovis Unified school board Wednesday. He found some board members sympathetic and they asked that the issue be brought back at the May 28 meeting for a vote.

Board member Susan Walker said perhaps the district was being "too rigid with the rules."

Yes, of course, she is right. The school is clearly ignoring the state statutes set up to accommodate precisely these circumstances. The board should reverse the administration's ruling, apologize for the mistake, wish the girls well and set this on the right course.

There is no "do over" or "make right" if the district messes up with the twins. There is one chance in this lifetime for these two hard-working girls to graduate with their high school class.

The district should be proud of their accomplishments in the face of adversity, not adhere to sweeping edicts and, in the process, punish students unnecessarily.

District Superintendent Terry Bradley said the district's lawyers have told Clovis Unified that its policy is legal. Just because it's legal doesn't mean it's right.