School Committee expedites middle‑school pathway policy; votes to codify graduation requirements and competency determination

The Milton School Committee on Oct. 22 approved a new policy to formalize middle‑school pathway exploration, and voted to codify the district’s current graduation requirements and competency determination.

Using an expedited approval process, the committee voted unanimously to adopt JF, the new Middle School Pathway Exploration policy, which the district said codifies existing middle‑school practices for informing families about high‑school career and technical education and regional vocational options. The district said the policy aligns with DESE guidance and the sample policy provided by MASC.

Separately, the committee approved a policy codifying the currently used graduation requirements (IKF) and the related competency determination process (IKFE). The district explained both votes as a formalization of practices already contained in the Milton High School program of studies; committee members discussed that any future changes — for example, proposals to add a two‑year world language requirement — would be examined through the standard program‑of‑studies review process and would carry separate budget and implementation timelines.

Committee members discussed timing and process: several members asked for a clearer vehicle to study any proposed changes to graduation requirements so the public and committee members could participate earlier in the review. Superintendent John Dale said the administration will work with the committee to set a timeline and, if the committee wishes, convene a study group to explore potential program‑of‑study changes before they would appear for a vote.

Votes: the JF policy passed by unanimous voice vote using the expedited process; IKF and IKFE passed on second reading, and the competency determination motion was also adopted unanimously.