HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson USD 308 school board approved lowering the needed credit hours to graduate high school from 26 to 21 credits.
The action came during a special meeting on Monday. The 21-credit waiver was offered by the Kansas State Department of Education. Hutchinson High School Principal Ryan Ewy made the request to the district. The proposal will include all current 2019-2020 Hutchinson High School students that have met the Kansas State Board of Education requirements, including Government and English 12, along with a minimum of 21 credits. Ewy also requested that no more coursework be required for the students meeting the above criteria.
Students who have not yet met the minimum requirement of 21 credits will complete their remaining requirements through a combination of online and paper packet resources. Those students that do not currently have internet capability will be provided the appropriate equipment and service.
That question also came up Monday about making sure computers and the internet are available to all students. Superintendent Mike Folks indicated that the district may have enough computers to provide a family with one. If more are available, they would try to accommodate each student from fifth grade on up. Folks also reported that no internet providers have come forward offering services to the district at this time.
As far as putting the coursework together, Folks says they will continue to work on online curriculum this week. The district has to have a plan in place for the state no later than April 8.