The Verona Area School District Board of Education voted to change the district’s tie-breaking criteria for the Wisconsin Guarantee (Act 95) admissions process, placing the highest composite ACT score first, total credits earned second and advanced placement credits third.

Board member Joe moved the amendment to reorder the criteria; Juan Carlos seconded. The board approved the motion in a voice vote (six in favor, one opposed) after a discussion that centered on fairness, access and the potential for different criteria to change student behavior.

Administrators explained the context: Act 95 guarantees admission to any UW System school — except UW–Madison — for the top 10% of a graduating class (top 5% for UW–Madison), using GPA calculated after six semesters. The district previously used a different order of tie-breakers in its waiver: total high‑school credits, AP credits and then highest composite ACT score. Officials said the change reflects a preference for a criterion that “influences behavior the least,” because all juniors are given access to the ACT through the district-administered assessment.

Assistant administrators noted operational consequences and timing: course requests for the coming year are being finalized in November, the course guide will be shared with families in December and student course selections happen in January. Staff warned that credit‑based criteria can advantage students who have had access to additional credit opportunities (apprenticeships, summer school or middle‑school acceleration) and can create scheduling pressures if low‑enrollment courses are expected to run because they matter for tie‑breaking.

Board discussion also covered equity measures the district is taking to expand access to ACT preparation. Administrators said the district provides a free ACT prep book for juniors, runs after‑school prep sessions and administers preACT to ninth graders to give early practice. The board noted that the March state ACT administration will be used for comparisons and that any student opting out of state testing could create edge cases.

Board members emphasized that the change applies to the current junior class (graduating in 2027). The board also directed staff to continue work on longer-term equity and access concerns and to return with additional information as needed. The motion passed and staff will submit a waiver to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction that reflects the amended order.