Committee reviews retroactive and honorary diploma provisions, including COVID and veteran considerations

The subcommittee reviewed provisions in the CSBA draft that would allow the district to issue retroactive high school diplomas to former students who completed grade 12 in certain earlier years but were denied diplomas solely because they did not pass a state exit examination.

"Any student who completed grade 12 in the 2003, I'm sorry, there's a typo there, 2003, 2004 through 20 14, 20 15 school year and met all applicable graduation requirements other than the passage of a high school exit examination shall be granted a high school diploma," Paula Chimerlake read from the draft policy. She also noted language that would permit diplomas for veterans whose education was interrupted by military service and for students in the 2019–2020 COVID‑affected school year who were on track but could not complete statewide requirements.

Chair Ken Fallsgraff suggested the board "should consider giving ... an honorary diploma to anyone who is deceased during their senior" year; Chimerlake responded that the policy as drafted would not allow that proposal. The committee did not vote and scheduled further review at the education subcommittee and the April full board first reading.