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Lincoln County SD2 to consider raising math, science credits for Star Valley High diploma
Summary
Superintendent and high school leaders recommended increasing math and science graduation credits from three to four and aligning the diploma with the Hathaway Success Program; board flagged communication needs for parents and trade-path students and expects a first reading in June.
Superintendent Matt Erickson told the Lincoln County School District No. 2 Board of Trustees that administrators will present a proposed update to policy IKF (graduation requirements) for a first reading in June that would raise required credits in math and science at Star Valley High School from 3 to 4 and raise the total diploma credit requirement from 31 to 32.
The proposal, brought forward by high school staff, is intended to align Star Valley High diplomas with the highest Hathaway Success Program thresholds and to give students more options and preparedness for college and technical programs. "What Mr. Hatterley and his team are proposing is that we increase math and science from 3 to 4 credits to graduate," Erickson said during the board discussion.
Board members and school staff discussed why the change is being proposed and how it would affect students heading to trade programs. Mr. Hatterley, who described his long involvement with vocational instruction, said freshmen already take math across three trimesters and many students need only one additional course in later years to meet the new requirement. "Our freshmen coming in, we have them in a math class all three of those trimesters... and all they do need is 1 more class to get there," Hatterley said, noting many students complete 3.5 credits now and would need a single additional class to reach the Hathaway level.
Board members pressed for clear communication to families about what the change means in practice — emphasizing that the fourth math course should not necessarily be an advanced college algebra class and that trade-oriented math options (including trigonometry for some trade programs) could be acceptable. Member Long said parents worry about requiring extra coursework for students pursuing technical careers; other trustees and administrators said scholarship and dual-enrollment funding tied to Hathaway qualifications make the change beneficial for students who later choose college or community-college trade programs.
No formal vote was taken; the board characterized the item as informational and scheduled an anticipated first reading in June. Administrators said they will prepare details for the June meeting including how the change would be phased for current sophomores and how counselors will advise students choosing trade pathways.
The board also noted that the LCSD2 Foundation has recently added trade-specific scholarships, which administrators said supports students who pursue technical training after high school. "We had 55 donors for more than $132,000 in scholarships this spring, and some donors specified vocational/trade scholarships," Superintendent Erickson said.
The board did not adopt any policy at the meeting; members asked administrators to return with implementation details and communication plans ahead of the scheduled first reading.
The board expects a formal first reading of the revised IKF policy at its June meeting, followed by any additional readings or action at subsequent meetings.
