WORLAND — The Washakie County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees approved on first reading changes to the early graduation policy.

The board first heard about the proposal last month as a discussion item and the policy came back to the board for official action. The policy change will require three readings.

In an earlier interview Worland High School Principal Wade Sanford said the current procedure is if seniors want to graduate early they have to petition the principal and board by Nov. 1. He said the new proposal would require the notification midway through the first quarter in order to give more time for the students to meet the graduation requirements and allow the school time to assist and monitor the students.

If the policy had been enacted this year that would have been Sept. 20.

Under the new policy, students graduating early would not be allowed go through any graduation ceremonies in the spring. The students would be honored by the board at the regular January meeting.

Sanford said most students wanting early graduation have a plan for trade school, college or employment right after graduating.

He added that early graduation would require parental permission if the student is not 18.

In other policy discussion, the board approved on second reading changes to the employment policy.

During the August board meeting, Nicholas brought to the board’s attention the need to make the change. The district had been requiring staff members to pay for fingerprinting and background checks but found out last year that state statute requires districts to pay for the checks. He told the board in August they changed their actions and had started paying for the checks but the policy had never been changed.

OTHER BUSINESS

In other business at Monday’s board meeting:

•Two students were recognized for good sportsmanship through the Wyoming High School Activities Association — Caitlin Cottrell for volleyball in the Worland vs. Powell match on Sept. 15 and Andrew Edholm for the Worland vs. Rawlins football game on Sept. 28.

•The board appointed Tim Warren to the Worland Aquatic Center Joint Powers Board.

•One special education paraprofessional was hired.

•The board approved the annual audit report, which was a “clean” report. Jason Lund of Carver, Florek & James said the audit went smooth and Worland is the first presentation for the company in Wyoming, noting they perform audits in five districts in the state.

•The district is seeking input from staff on three proposed calendars for the 2019-2020 school year including one that begins after Labor Day but ends before Memorial Day with no spring break. Board member Anna Venable asked the district to also seek input from parents.

The board directed Superintendent Nicholas to present a recommendation at the November board meeting.

•Nicholas reported that school district enrollment is up by two students.