July 8, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
DeKalb County High School is modifying the number of credits required for graduation.
During Tuesday night’s monthly meeting, the Board of Education granted a request by DCHS Principal Randy Jennings to change the graduation credit requirements.
For the Class of 2021, seniors will be required to earn 33 credits for graduation; 31 credits for the Class of 2022, 29 credits for the Class of 2023, and 27 credits starting with the Class of 2024 and going forward from there.
In a letter to the Board of Education and Director of Schools, Jennings said modifying the number of credits will not reduce the number of courses a student will be required to complete for graduation but it will allow administrators to better track credits and make it easier for students to understand.
“Currently a student receives a full credit for Algebra 1A (first semester) and Algebra 1B (second semester) which then counts as two credits for the Algebra 1 class. Under the new system, a student will receive a half credit each semester for a total of one full credit for Algebra 1. There are several core classes that will be transitioning to the one credit for the entire class versus two credits for the entire class. This will in turn reduce the number of credits a student will need for graduation,” said Jennings.
“Each class over the next four years will have a different number of credits that will be required for graduation. Starting with the graduating class of 2024 and each class after the number of credits will be the same at 27,” added Jennings.
Meanwhile in his monthly report on personnel, Director Patrick Cripps said the following persons have been hired since last month:
Cheslie Bryant, Northside Elementary School Secretary/Receptionist
Rayanna Chapman, teacher at Smithville Elementary School
Laura Daniel, Librarian at DeKalb Middle School
Joseph Green, teacher at DCHS
Ann Griffey, teacher at DCHS
Gabby Robinson, teacher at DCHS
Brooklyn Shirah, teacher at Northside Elementary School
Don Whitt, music teacher at DeKalb Middle School/DeKalb West School
Amy Lattimore was granted a leave of absence as requested
Transfers:
Emily Bartlett, educational assistant at Smithville Elementary School to teacher
Amanda Goodwin, educational assistant to SPED teacher at Northside Elementary School
Rachel Hernandez, SPED teacher at DeKalb Middle School to DeKalb West School
Tamera Judkins, Northside Elementary School Receptionist to Attendance Clerk
Elizabeth Miller, Northside Elementary School teacher to Librarian
Natasha Vaughn, SPED teacher at DeKalb West School to DeKalb Middle School
Christie Young, teacher from Smithville Elementary to DeKalb Middle School
Resignations/Retirements:
Vicky Hawker-retirement
Linda Moser-retirement
Macy Nokes-resignation
Allison Taylor-resignation
Ginger Wenger-retirement