A revised policy for Northampton Area High School graduation requirements and the high school program of studies for the 2014-15 school year has been adopted.

The number of credits needed to receive an NAHS diploma has been reduced from 26 to 24.

The Northampton Area School Board voted 8-0, with one director absent at the Nov. 25 meeting, to approve the policy change at the administration's recommendation.

The reduction in required graduation credits was made because of the new Pennsylvania Department of Education mandated remediation for Keystone Exams, which places added strain on district resources, according to NASD officials.

Also approved were changes to the schedule of classes. Period One still begins at 7:24 a.m. Period 8 still concludes at 2:28 p.m. Added were an AM Period, from 6:37-7:20 a.m., and a PM Period, from 2:32 -3:24 p.m.

There will be a "Konkrete Block," 10:39-11:20 a.m., when ninth grade students will have lunch and 10th- through 12th-grade students will have a flex period for targeted instruction and remediation, peer tutoring, music lessons, activities and clubs. This will also allow teacher curriculum time and data and other meetings.

The revised policy went into effect Nov. 26.

In other business at the Nov. 25 meeting, school directors approved the following at the administration's recommendation:

· Voluntary transfer of Anne Lutz from cafeteria monitor at Northampton Area Middle School to special education instructional assistant at the middle school, effective retroactive to Nov. 15, with no change in salary, but with benefits.

· Paid childbearing leave for Kathleen Bendekovits, beginning on or about Jan. 6, 2014, through Feb. 7, 2014, and an FMLA Childbearing Leave, with no pay, but with benefits per federal regulations, Feb. 10, 2014, through on or about Feb. 28, 2014.

· Resignation of James Kazakos, security officer, effective Nov. 12, per letter of resignation and agreement.

· An amended contract with Barbara Carrington for speech and language services at Colonel John Siegfried Elementary School until Jan. 31, 2014, or until a permanent replacement is hired.

· The appointment of Scott Rehrig, police officer, for a term beginning Jan. 6, 2014, through June 30, 2016, at a salary of $35,000, pro-rated without benefits.