The administration presented a proposal to change high‑school top‑graduate recognition from classic valedictorian and salutatorian titles to a new "honors with distinction" designation intended to reduce GPA‑gaming and encourage students to take varied elective courses.

Superintendent Isaac Severs summarized draft criteria: an ACT score of 30+ or SAT 1360+, a weighted cumulative GPA of 4.4 or higher, at least one honors or AP class in math, science, social studies and English, a world‑language component, and a minimum of 29 credits (intended to incentivize taking courses in the building rather than leaving for outside options). Severs said administrators had run the criteria against recent classes and estimated roughly eight to 10 students per year would meet the threshold.

Board members raised questions: one trustee recommended clearer wording that the honors/AP requirement be "at least one honors or AP class in each of the following" core areas; another argued 29 credits is high and suggested 28 or clarifying how junior‑high credits are counted. Student board member Miss Berger and some trustees supported the change, noting it allowed students to pursue art and electives without being penalized in GPA‑based top‑graduate races.

After discussion, Mr. Lane moved to table the proposal to the December regular meeting so the administration could gather more input (including from National Honor Society and teachers). The motion to table passed with a majority voting aye; one trustee voiced a nay. The board will revisit the proposal in December with additional clarifications and stakeholder feedback.