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Changing state requirements for high school graduation led the Warsaw school board to consider changes in its policies at Monday's meeting.
Besides passing the ISTEP+, which is required for graduation, students will need to earn 42 credits, instead of the 38 now needed.
Dr. Anthony Etienne, assistant superintendent, proposed policy changes for students who don't pass the ISTEP qualifying exam.
Students who meet all credit requirements, but who don't pass the ISTEP+, would receive a certificate of achievement instead of a diploma. Students who haven't met the academic requirements, but have fulfilled the attendance requirements, would get attendance certificates.
In the August meeting, board discussion focused on the certificate of achievement, with board member Roy Szymanski arguing that the certificate would be a form of rewarding students for mediocrity.
Etienne said last month that students receiving the certificates would have fulfilled all the credits required for graduation, just not the ISTEP+.
The policy proposed Monday had some errors regarding timing, and board action on the policy will be tabled until the October meeting.
Also at Monday's meeting, school superintendent Dr. Lee Harman announced that the two positions on the Warsaw Community Public Library board are up for reappointment - Larry Chamberlain's, which is effective now, and Mark Morrison's, which expires in November.
Harman said Chamberlain and Morrison both want to continue, but other applications will be considered. Anyone who wants to be considered for either position should contact Harman's office by Oct. 1.
In other business:
• The board approved June 2 as the date for WCHS commencement.
• Harman said he, Etienne and business manager Rande Thorpe are organizing the community-based planning committee, and will have more to announce at the October meeting.
• Harman reported the total enrollment so far is 6,321 in all schools, compared to 6,313 last year at the same time. An additional kindergarten section was added at Leesburg Elementary, he said, and aides were hired for some of the largest classes.
• The board approved an auction of obsolete and unused school equipment for Oct. 16 at the barn.
The board meets at 7 p.m. the second Monday of each month in the administration building.
