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Port Washington board adopts grading policy after parent warns change could remove Regents' "fifth quarter" opportunity
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Summary
The Port Washington Union Free School District board adopted Policy 4710 on grading by a 5–0 vote April 28, 2026, after parent Sue Graeser told trustees the proposal removes meaningful Regents weighting and lacks clear evidence it will improve student outcomes.
The Port Washington Union Free School District Board of Education voted unanimously April 28 to adopt Policy 4710 on grading, following public comment from a parent who urged the board to pause broad changes until clear evidence shows they will benefit students.
Sue Graeser, who identified herself as a parent and community member, told the board she has not seen "a clear answer to the most basic question, what problem are we trying to solve?" and argued the proposal risks removing a "meaningful fifth quarter" for Regents students who demonstrate mastery later in the year. "Removing that meaningful fifth quarter impact and reducing it to little more than a minimal quarter adjustment takes away...potentially high value opportunity from the students who often need it most," Graeser said.
Board member Deborah Brooks told the board the version on the table reflected input from the policy committee, PWTA leadership and high-school administration. "What you have in front of you is basically what we presented at the policy committee meeting on Friday," Brooks said, describing the changes as largely reorganization with minor tweaks. A district staff member said the policy's primary objective is "to create more consistency across systems and practices within and across our buildings," adding that the policy sets philosophical guidelines while implementing regulations will address operational details.
The chair moved to adopt Policy 4710; the motion was seconded and the chair announced the adoption by a 5–0 vote. The board noted that regulations will follow to set point values and incentives related to the Regents exam. The transcript reads the budget-year motion earlier as for the "2620 7 year"; district remarks in the meeting indicated regulations, not the policy, will specify how point values and incentives are applied.
The board did not discuss the precise numeric adjustments to weighting in detail during the public portion; Graeser called for transparent, data-driven justification for any change that would affect transcripts, academic incentives and college profiles.
The board announced its next meeting for May 5, beginning with a tenure and retirement event at 6:30 p.m. and regular business including the budget hearing at 7:30 p.m. After business concluded the board recessed into executive session to discuss the employment of a particular person and to seek counsel and did not return to public session.
