Tony Sandoval, a parent of two students at Southwest High School, addressed the board during public comment to request that the board adopt a proposed policy revision that would add dual‑enrollment courses (concurrent post‑secondary enrollment at Imperial Valley College) to the district’s weighted GPA calculation.
Why it matters: Sandoval said seniors applying for college and scholarships could benefit from having dual‑enrollment courses weighted the same as AP or honors courses. He asked for an accelerated timeline so that seniors’ current applications and scholarship submissions reflect any change, and he asked the board to consider retroactivity to when this year’s seniors were freshmen (the 2022–23 school year).
What the transcript shows: Sandoval asked the board to consider two requests: (1) expedite the proposed policy change currently on first review so it is effective sooner than the October meeting, and (2) make the change retroactive to benefit current seniors who have taken dual‑enrollment courses for multiple years. He identified the relevant agenda item (first reading of board policy regarding concurrent post‑secondary education / dual enrollment) and thanked superintendent Farkas and staff for putting the item on the agenda for first review.
Board process and limitations: The item was on first reading; no board action to finalize a policy occurred at the meeting. Any change to grading weight and retroactivity would require formal adoption of revised board policy and likely an implementation plan from administration to update transcripts, communicate with colleges and support scholarship applicants.
Next steps: The policy is slated for future board consideration (a second reading and adoption are required). Sandoval requested the board consider an accelerated timeline and retroactivity when the policy returns for action.