A request to change the course load requirement policy for seniors at Carroll High School narrowly failed to receive full approval at last night’s (Monday) Carroll Community School District (CCSD) Board of Education meeting. The topic initially came to the board in November when several students who had already met the 52-credit graduation requirement asked the seven-course minimum be cut to four for students’ final semester to allow them time to work or intern at a local business. Superintendent, Dr. Casey Berlau, recommended the board not change a broad policy for a relatively uncommon request, especially considering that administration has been working with the students and parents in question on a suitable solution.
Earlier in the meeting, the board approved the introduction of a multi-occupational course (MOC) for the 2022/23 school year that would fill this need for students into the future. Board member, Karen Friedlein, says it does not make sense to force high-achieving and motivated seniors to take classes they are not interested in during their final semester solely so they can participate in spring sports and school activities. She says they would be better served with additional time in the workplace.
Board member, Duane Horsley, also favored giving seniors additional flexibility in their final semester and believes it would encourage students who chose to graduate in the winter to stay on for those final few months of high school. Director of Teaching and Learning, Karinne Theraldson, cautioned against the change, as it would apply to all students equally, not just high-achieving individuals.
Berlau noted the policy would also apply to students who participate in the district’s alternative diploma program, and those are often the students that benefit the most from time in the classroom. Board member, Onica Ulveling, says their chief concern as a school board should be student learning and allowing seniors to leave early goes against that belief.
After more than 45 minutes of debate, Horsley moved to add a provision to the policy language that would cut the course load requirement for seniors in the second semester to four classes. The motion failed with Friedlein and Horsley the only board members in favor of the change.
