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Board moves reduction of minimum graduation credits from 26 to 24 to second reading after split vote
Summary
The board voted 4–3 to advance policy 345.6 and its rule to a second reading; the change reduces the district's minimum required credits for a high‑school diploma from 26 to 24, a proposal proponents said would expand pathways and opponents said could lower expectations.
The Board of Education voted on Jan. 14 to advance to second reading a policy change that reduces the district minimum high‑school credit requirement from 26 to 24. The motion to move policy 345.6 and its rule to second reading passed 4–3 in a roll‑call vote.
Administrators told the board the proposed change aligns local graduation credit requirements with many other Wisconsin districts and gives students greater flexibility for work‑based learning, dual‑credit or pathway coursework. "Lowering the minimum requirements from 26 to 24 doesn't remove access; you can still get up to 32 credits as a student," said a district presenter, who noted district graduates on average earn more than the minimum.
Opponents on the board said they worry a lower numeric requirement could be perceived as a reduction in expectations and urged caution, given the district's ongoing student‑achievement challenges. Board member Brian Anderson said lowering credit totals feels like "going backwards" and urged continued focus on supports that make students college‑ and career‑ready. Another board member said the timing — while the district seeks to fund staff and programs through a referendum — makes the change ill‑timed.
The roll‑call vote on advancing the policy to second reading resulted in: Craig Schneider, Nay; Amy Levy, Nay; Brian Nichols, Aye; Brian Anderson, Aye; Tom Hankins, Aye; Megan Miller, Nay; Tia Johnson, Aye. The motion carried 4–3.
Ending: The policy will return to the board for second reading and a final vote in a future meeting. Administrators and the policy committee said they will provide supporting data about how the change aligns with other Wisconsin districts and how it would affect students' pathways.
