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District presents alternative graduation pathways for a small group of students; options align with state policy
Summary
District staff presented information about competency-based and reduced-credit graduation pathways designed for a small percentage of students at risk of not graduating. The presentation described consultation with a DPI consultant and said the pathways are allowable under board policy; no board approval was required at the meeting.
District administrators presented proposed alternative graduation pathways intended for a small subset of students at risk of not graduating, describing the work as an extension of the district's graduation-rate improvement efforts.
Adam Bridal, coordinator of student instructional services, and Josh Caso, principal at Central High School, told the board the pathways under consideration include a competency-based option and a reduced-credit option that are allowable under state law and board policy. Staff said the proposals are targeted at less than 1% of the district's graduates and are designed to re-engage students who have fallen behind through more tailored requirements while maintaining rigor and state compliance.
Administrators said they worked with a consultant from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to ensure the paths meet legal standards and align with district policy. They emphasized that the board was being informed of the plans and that the central office has authority under existing policy to create alternative pathways; the presentation was informational and intended to elicit questions.
Board members asked about the interaction between truancy processes and alternative-pathway placement; administrators said the processes can overlap but that the district would continue required notifications, attendance-intervention steps and any municipal or court actions when applicable. Staff also noted the pathways focus on senior-level students for whom a five- or six-year return is unlikely, and added that the district aims to provide a feasible route to a diploma for students who can meet alternate but rigorous standards.
The board did not take formal action on the item during the meeting; administrators said they would continue work with DPI guidance and with Central High School staff and report back to the board if further approvals were needed.
