Adams 12 Five Star Schools' Board of Education voted to revise District Policy 6,340, making successful completion of Personal Financial Literacy and Healthy Choices courses a graduation requirement beginning with the class of 2029.

Director Assad Lucas, who moved the motion, told colleagues the requirement is intended to set a clear standard for students and communities. "When we set a bar, our kids will rise to it," he said during the debate, adding that the board owes students and the community a foundation in budgeting and health literacy.

Board members debated two options: (1) require successful completion of the two courses for graduation, or (2) require enrollment without mandating successful completion. Supporters of Option 1 argued the requirement signals the district's expectations and can help address chronic absenteeism and preparation gaps. Directors also discussed specific concerns at two schools (Thornton High School and 5 Star Online Academy) where failure rates in Healthy Choices have been higher; district leaders said they will study course delivery methods, language supports, and absenteeism to improve student success before the policy takes effect.

Superintendent Godowsky and district academic staff said opt-out provisions remain available to parents for portions of health content; the board emphasized that a multi-year rollout (effective with the Class of 2029) provides time to adjust curriculum and supports.

The motion passed on a roll call vote with the directors present recorded as voting "Aye." The board recorded support from Directors Assad Lucas, Battistelli, Goldstein and Potter; Director Marsh Holshon was not present. The policy language adopted requires successful completion beginning with cohort 2029; additional implementation details and metrics were directed to staff for follow-up.

The board listed District Policy 6,340 as the authority for the change and directed staff to return with school-level plans to support students at sites with higher failure rates. Next procedural steps include finalizing course materials, communicating changes to families, and adding progress checks to future board updates.