Phoenix-Talent board approves one-year waiver for college-and-career graduation requirement

The Phoenix-Talent School District Board of Education on Wednesday approved an application for a one-year waiver delaying full implementation of a newly required higher-education/career readiness graduation component for the class of 2027.

Superintendent Brent Berry told the board the waiver would act as an "insurance policy" while the district completes staffing and program details needed to meet the new requirement. "We plan on doing the career and college outlined for our students, but we don't know what that will look like in a year or two," Berry said during the meeting.

Board members said the waiver is intended to give staff time to ensure the district can meet the rule without disrupting students' senior-year graduation plans. The board moved and seconded the waiver application during the action portion of the meeting and voted to approve it. Board members voting in favor said they wanted the district to retain flexibility while work continued to finalize course offerings, staffing and scheduling.

Why it matters: The extra year allows the district to avoid forcing a partial or incomplete rollout onto students already approaching graduation. District staff told the board they plan to continue offering college- and career-focused instruction while finalizing logistics for a full, standards-compliant implementation.

What the board and staff said: Berry said the waiver is a precaution because the district is still completing curriculum alignment and hiring for key positions that will support the new graduation component. "We don't know what the budgets are going to be next biennium," he said, noting that funding and staffing uncertainties factored into the decision to seek a temporary extension.

Board procedure and next steps: District administrators will submit the waiver application to the state as authorized. Staff said they will bring regular status updates to the board on implementation planning and will proceed with hiring and curriculum work to minimize the delay's practical effects on students.

The board's action was unanimous at the meeting; the district recorded the motion and carried it in the consent of the board's formal votes.

Looking ahead: District staff said they plan to communicate details to families and to provide updates to the board and the community as planning progresses. The board asked staff to return with a timetable for hiring and curriculum steps at an upcoming meeting.