Board adopts FAFSA graduation requirement, approves sports and operations contracts; other measures split

The Heartland Consolidated Schools Board of Education on April 21 approved a revision to its graduation requirements to make completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) a documented graduation expectation for seniors while preserving an exemption for students who qualify. The board also approved several operational items, including a cooperative application to field an MHSA-sanctioned field hockey program, a bond-funded computer replacement purchase and extensions of custodial service contracts.

The FAFSA policy change was presented as a condition for the district to receive a state college-access award intended to fund counseling and college-awareness activities. Superintendent Chuck Hughes and district counselors told the board the award—about $300,000–$382,000 (figures disclosed in meeting discussion varied by rounding)—would be recognized through state aid and used over multiple years to support college- and career-readiness activities, including FAFSA filing help, celebration events and related staffing. The board voted to add the required exemption language specified by the state: the graduation requirement applies “unless a student qualifies for an eligible exemption.”

Why it matters: district staff said the grant will fund counseling and activities to increase FAFSA completion, which they said helps students access scholarships, trade-school funding, apprenticeships and other postsecondary supports. The district described counselors’ ongoing outreach, parent nights and in-school supports intended to raise FAFSA completion rates.

Other votes at the meeting covered a mix of program and…