Bottom line: School board meeting, 6 p.m. Monday, 110 McDonald Drive

The board will be asked to drop a requirement that students pass biology to graduate from high school. Under the proposal, students would still be required to take the course. But success or failure in that class wouldn’t determine whether they graduate.

Currently, students enroll in biology in ninth grade, and those who fail the course must repeat it until they pass.

Background

District administrators recommending the change say a graduation requirement in biology inhibits some students’ ability to enroll in other science courses to comply with a mandate that they earn three science credits.

The board also will be asked to create a new course, Science Explorations, for students with a weak grasp of math.

Other business

• Convene an executive session at 6 p.m. to meet with the district’s attorney and start the regular board meeting at 7 p.m.
• Offer special recognition to the district’s 12 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists and the district’s National Achievement Scholar.
• Receive comment from Austin Turney, board president; Supt. Randy Weseman and board members.
• Consider a recommendation to change courses at junior high schools and high schools.
• Consider issues to be discussed at the December convention of the Kansas Association of School Boards.
• Consider on first reading policies on student transfers, requisitions, purchase orders, student activity funds, hazardous waste management, district vehicles, food services management and facility renovation.
• Receive a report on elementary school class size standards from Mary Rodriguez, the district’s executive director of human resources.
• Consider approval of a contract for a supplier to provide beverage service for the district’s school buildings.
• The next meeting of the board is scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 8.