Starting in January, all students at East Peoria Community High School will be reclassified.
The EPCHS District 309 school board voted Monday to approve a new grade-level classification system for students, making it totally dependent on academic standing.
Currently, students at EPCHS are classified in grade levels dependent only on the number of years they have attended high school — or “seat time” — with no consideration of academics.
Starting next year, a certain number of credits must be earned by each student to achieve the status of a sophomore, junior and senior and move from one grade to the next.
At last month’s meeting, principal Paul Whittington said reclassification would affect 87 of the 274 juniors and 92 of the 285 seniors.
There was some concern at the Oct. 7 public forum that graduation requirements would change as well, but Whittington said that is not the case.
Superintendent Cliff Cobert said there will also not be anynegative consequences during the current school year for student privileges, such as prom or parking permits.
Board member Garth Knobeloch said the meeting with parents was very informative and if the staff thinks it is what is best for students, he supports it.
“I think all the fears and concerns have been alleviated. Colleges go by hours, same with graduate schools and apprentice programs. It’s a normal transition,” Knobeloch said.
Board secretary Annie McGraw said the reclassification has been a hot topic with East Peoria parents recently, but all the feedback has been positive.
“I’ve heard so many people say, ‘Why didn’t we do this a long time ago?’” McGraw said.
In other action and discussion, the board:
• tabled the approval of a second reading of policy changes regarding substance abuse expulsions.
Deans of students Laurie Stark and Robin Goff had been asked by the board last month to revise some language in the policy before a possible vote.
Both Knobeloch and board president Michael Joseph said they would rather table the policy until November because as presented, they would have to vote against it.
Knobeloch said while he likes the idea of an intervention contract in the new policy, it should not be an option for students bringing drug paraphernalia or look-a-like substances on campus.
“If they bring it into the school, they plan to use it. These are not the type of kids asking for help,” Knobeloch said.
Joseph said he was most troubled by one of the contract conditions that required the student to pass at least five courses per quarter.
