Board hears changes to early-graduation regulation; new criteria, limits proposed

At the March 3 meeting, Mr. Miller presented proposed revisions to the district's early-graduation regulation (linked to policy IKED) intended to simplify language and set clearer criteria for students seeking to graduate before the usual timetable.

The proposed regulation would combine acceleration and hardship pathways into a single early-graduation regulation, require that students have earned all verified credits and submit a detailed post-secondary plan, and require counselor, administrator and parent or guardian permission. Staff also proposed narrowing how early a student may graduate, limiting early graduation to no sooner than the end of the first semester of the senior year in most cases; the presenter said the change would generally apply beginning with the class of 2026.

Board members pressed staff on exceptions and asked how many students pursue early graduation; Mr. Miller said fewer than 20 students have applied in a given year, usually around 10. Members requested wording edits (for clarity, add "high school" to the 4-year plan language and pluralize guardians/students where applicable). The board did not take a formal vote on the regulation at this meeting; staff said they will finalize wording and provide the updated regulation and forms at a subsequent meeting.