Graduation changes stir debate

Proposal to delay tougher requirements draws fire at school board meeting

February 5, 2006

JOEL DAVIDSON\Frontiersman reporter

MAT-SU - A proposal by Mat-Su Borough School District administration to postpone implementing tougher high school graduation requirements was met with opposition at Wednesday's school board meeting.

District administrators say Mat-Su Schools could face a $4 million shortfall for next year's budget and to make it up, they want to hold off on the more rigorous graduation requirements for two years.

School board member Linda Menard disagreed.

&#8220We've worked hard and long on this,” she told her fellow board members. &#8220At some point we have to provide what we as a whole body have agreed to do.”

Last year, the board approved changes to high school graduation that require students starting with the classes of 2009 to take an extra credit in social studies.

In addition, students starting with the class of 2010 will have to take additional required courses in career and technical education and fine arts. The overall impact raises graduation requirements from 21 to 22 credits.

School district administrators, however, claim the cost to increase high school courses will mean hiring 10 to 15 more high school teachers and adding as many as 24 additional portable classrooms.

Administrators say the total cost would exceed $4 million.

Despite a projected budget increase of $9 million from the state, Mat-Su Chief School Administrator Bob Doyle has said much of that money is going toward increased retirement benefits, salary increases, health insurance premium increases and the necessary funds to open, staff and outfit a new Wasilla-area elementary school.

Doyle said the district just can't afford the graduation changes yet, and argued for postponing them until 2012.

&#8220If we don't extend this, then you'll have to find another $4 million in budget cuts,” he told the board.

Menard seemed up for the task, and ultimately said she expects state education funding to exceed Gov. Frank Murkowski's proposed $90-million increase for fiscal year 2007, which, if it is realized, would allow the district to pay for the graduation changes, she said.

&#8220I was thrilled when we were going to go to 22 credits and very disappointed that now we are recommending not to,” Menard said. &#8220We've deliberated over this for a long, long time.”

The board will have another opportunity to consider the issue at its next meeting, set for 6 p.m. Feb. 15, at Palmer High School.

Contact Joel Davidson at

352-2266 or joel.davidson@

frontiersman.com.