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Laredo ISD trustees approve new valedictorian, salutatorian eligibility that allows three‑year graduates under 16‑course rubric
Summary
The Laredo ISD Board of Trustees voted 4‑3 to adopt an amended EIC local policy (option 3) that permits three‑year graduates to be eligible for valedictorian and salutatorian honors based on a 16‑course core‑class calculation; board members debated fairness, weighting and community engagement before the close vote.
LAREDO, Texas — The Laredo ISD Board of Trustees voted 4‑3 Thursday to adopt a change to EIC local policy that allows students who complete high school in three years to be eligible for valedictorian and salutatorian honors under a 4‑by‑4 rubric limited to the 16 core academic courses.
The policy change, described to the board as “option 3,” will evaluate class rank and top honors using only the 16 core course areas (English/ELA, math, science, social studies and four other state‑designated core classes) rather than the district’s broader course list. Board members said the change will apply to future cohorts, not current graduates.
Trustee Cassandra Mendoza, who introduced the options, told trustees the proposal narrows rank calculations to core coursework so that three‑year graduates (students who complete required credits in three years) are assessed on an “equitable” set of courses. “Option number 3 was the 4 by 4…we would only be looking at the 16 core class areas,” Mendoza said.
Opponents warned the change could disadvantage four‑year students who accumulate additional weighted classes such as AP or dual‑enrollment courses. Trustee Monica R. Garcia argued the board should hold broader community engagement before changing a long‑standing policy. “I just feel that this should stay the same…why can we not wait in order for us to get this community engagement?” Garcia said during debate.
Board President Juan Ramirez Jr. and supporters said the situation prompting the discussion is rare and that students who earn the requirements in three years should not be barred from honors. Ramirez said he had surveyed school administrators and GPA committee members and concluded the district should allow three‑year graduates to compete for top honors when they meet the stated academic criteria.
After extended discussion about credit‑by‑exam, dual‑enrollment and weighting of courses, Ramirez moved to approve EIC local under option 3. The motion passed on a roll call vote of 4 in favor, 3 opposed.
The board’s minutes say the policy will not take effect for the cohort already graduating; administrators confirmed the change would apply to students entering high school following the adoption. Staff also said district registrars and counselors will provide a revised rubric and that the board asked for clearer verbiage on whether the change affects full class rank or only valedictorian/salutatorian determinations.
What happens next
District staff said they will draft final policy language reflecting the board’s choice and provide clarifying language on whether the policy change applies only to valedictorian/salutatorian awards or to broader class‑rank calculations. Trustees who opposed the measure said they intend to press for additional parent and student outreach before the policy is implemented for new cohorts.
Votes and record
The motion to adopt EIC local option 3 passed 4‑3. The board’s public record lists the vote tally; the minutes do not show individual vote names tied to the aye/nay column in the audio transcript.
