At the curriculum and technology committee meeting April 14, Salisbury High School Principal Heather Morningstar asked the school board members to consider eliminating the requirement for all students to complete a graduation project, beginning with the Class of 2017.

Graduation projects can include community service, job shadowing or interviews with professionals in the field of study of interest to the student.

Morningstar said with the latest state mandates, required graduation projects have been eliminated for members of the Class of 2017 because they must pass the Keystone tests to graduate. If students do not pass the Keystone tests, they will be required to complete a project- based assessment to graduate.

The district could have decided to maintain the requirement of the graduation project.

Morningstar said her concern is requiring all students to complete a graduation project and pass the Keystone exams or complete a project- based assessment to graduate and the staffing required to manage and implement these requirements.

"It will have a huge effect on the staff," Morningstar said.

"This is not a recommendation we came to lightly," Morningstar said.

Board member Sam DeFrank said the graduation project was a great thing for the students who took it seriously. "They were better for it," he said.

All board members voted to eliminate the required graduation project beginning with the Class of 2017.

In other business, Superintendent Michael Roth proposed changes to the calendar for the 2014-2015 school year to handle potential inclement weather school closings.

He proposed using Feb. 13, 2015 as a make-up day, followed by April 1 and 2 if needed. Roth also proposed using May 22, 2015 which is the Friday before Memorial Day. Additional days, if needed, would be June 5 and 6, 2015.

Roth said professional development days would be added to the end of the year and said he would prefer not to use Federal holidays as make-up days.

"It is my fervent hope I will not have to come back to you next year with changes," Roth said.

The committee held a second reading on Policy No. 202 - Eligibilty of Nonresident Students. A third reading will be held April 23.

Lynn Fuini-Hetten presented an update on Salisbury's virtual academy, VAST saying there are currently 10 students enrolled. She reported she has been working with the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit to have Salisbury teachers develop their own content for courses. CLIU is in agreement and would provide assistance along the way as a safety net as needed for the same price as Salisbury pays currently for the next two years. The price would include licenses to a learning management system for 100 students.

Fuini-Hetten said there is still much to be developed and many opportunities to partner with other districts to offer additional courses to meet the needs of teachers and students.

Board member Robert Fischer said the field trip policy is ready to be given to the solicitor for review. It will then come back to the board for a first reading.

Committee chair Mary Ziegler announced there will be a June 9 curriculum meeting.

Assistant Superintendent Randy Ziegenfuss announced Salisbury received a $20,000 donation of books from First Book. The books are primarily for elementary students and the librarians are currently determining where the books will go.