NoCal amends graduation policy

HATTON - More options will now be available to North Callaway students who would like to graduate early.

During its meeting Thursday evening held at Hatton McCredie Elementary School, North Callaway Board of Education members unanimously voted to make some changes to the district's graduation policy under the recommendation of High School Principal Carol Green. Previously, the policy restricted students from graduating unless they completed at least seven semesters of high school. Now, as long as a student obtains all the required credits and meets certain conditions, they can graduate without having to stay all seven semesters.

Green told the board there were circumstances some students have faced where the set time constriction was detrimental, causing them to technically "drop out" instead of graduate. She gave a couple of examples, including advanced students who obtain their credits early and are ready prior to seven semesters in high school to go on to college.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.