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Board declines blanket approval of handbooks, asks staff to fix fees and propose graduation policy
Summary
The board discussed handbook inconsistencies, fee-schedule mismatches, and graduation-credit confusion. Members asked staff to correct errors, update handbooks, and return with a district graduation-requirements policy tied to policy EHA.
School board members reviewed annual handbooks and raised multiple concerns about inconsistent fee language, bell schedules and graduation-credit wording, asking staff to post handbooks with corrections and to return with a recommended graduation-requirements policy.
During discussion the board identified mismatches between the fee schedule the board was set to approve and language inside the high school handbook, including a $10 class-change charge and differing credit-recovery fees. The board approved the district fee schedule for 2025'26 by vote (5-0) and directed principals and administrators to reconcile handbook language with approved fees.
The superintendent told the board the handbooks are intended as procedural documents and that board policy supersedes handbook language. "I've instructed all the principals to include somewhere in the handbooks that, if if there is a conflict with board policy, board policy supersedes anything in the handbook," the superintendent said.
The board expressed particular concern about high school graduation-credit language and asked staff to draft a clear district-level graduation requirement policy instead of approving handbook language as policy. The board and staff referenced district policy EHA, which currently states that a diploma is granted upon completion of core curriculum and student course requirements, but board members said EHA is vague about the total-credit requirement and how local pathways align with state minimums.
Key details and follow-up - Fee schedule: Board approved the district fee schedule for 2025'26 (motion passed 5-0). Board members asked staff to correct handbook fee language to match the approved fee schedule and to remove impermissible fees (example: a $10 schedule-change fee in the high school handbook noted as inconsistent). The budget/finance staff will update published handbooks to reflect the approved fee schedule.
- Graduation credits: The high school handbook listed a 36-credit total, but board members noted state minimums vary and EHA is vague. Board directed staff to work with principals and the district attorney to draft a clear graduation-requirements policy that defines local diploma requirements, how year-long/quarter courses count, and how multiple diploma pathways are handled.
- Handbooks posting: The board agreed handbooks may be posted for the start of school with the stipulation that corrections be made promptly and principals notify the board of any midyear changes. The superintendent said principals should note that handbooks are procedural and that the board will be informed of substantive midyear changes.
Why this matters: Handbooks govern day-to-day school procedures and student expectations; inconsistencies with board policy or fee schedules can create inequities and legal exposure. The board wants a single, clear graduation policy so diploma standards are consistently applied and not subject to ad hoc local changes.
Ending: Staff will correct fee inconsistencies, revise handbook wording and return with a recommendation to create or amend district policy EHA to clearly state graduation requirements and credit calculations.
