Kudos to Austin High School Principal Joe Brown and a faculty committee on approving a new policy to continue to make public the school's honor roll.

Brown initially balked at making public the academic achievements of students, saying the honor roll was a matter of data privacy. Specifically, Brown said students who had discipline problems, although they made the grade requirements, would not be able to make the honor roll. As a result, Brown said one could then deduce that a regular honor roll student got in trouble.

Another change is that students who take part-time post-secondary classes will also be eligible to make the honor roll.

Recognizing responsible behavior and outstanding academic achievement is the right thing for Brown and the high school to do.

Many times in today's media, people hear more about society's ills than the good that tomorrow's leaders are doing.

Making this honor roll public may seem small to some. But to the scores of students who do make it, they (and their parents, friends and other relatives) will be able to see their achievements in print and be given the due recognition and honor they justly deserve.