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Student‑led grade‑forgiveness proposal gets first reading before Union board
Summary
The board took a first reading of revisions to policies 5.031 and 5.032 to allow a one‑time in‑person course retake to replace a prior grade for GPA calculation; the change was initiated by student Charlie Silverman and will return for later approval.
Union Public Schools’ board heard a first reading of proposed revisions to policy 5.031 (graduation requirements) and policy 5.032 (weighted grade and class ranking) that would add a grade‑forgiveness option permitting a student to retake a course in person and have the new grade used in GPA calculations while leaving the original grade visible on the transcript.
Doctor Nelson introduced the policy change and described key limits: the retake must be taken in person, coursework grades remain posted on the transcript, and grade forgiveness can be applied only once per course. Nelson noted the policy was proposed after research and advocacy from a student, Charlie Silverman. "Charlie did an outstanding job of researching and making a case for this revision," Nelson said, describing the district’s process of reviewing other districts’ approaches.
A staff member introduced the student’s background and circumstances: Silverman missed a summer course drop deadline that left an F on her transcript despite later strong performance in the subject. The board treated the presentation as a first reading; no final action was taken at this meeting and the policy will return for later consideration.
Board members asked clarifying questions about limits and implementation; staff said details such as one‑time use and in‑person requirement are written into the proposed language and that all course grades would remain on the transcript with an indicator showing the forgiven grade.
