Hempfield Area mulls changes to program that allows some seniors flexible schedules

Future Hempfield Area High School seniors may see restrictions on an existing flexible schedule arrangement, which allows them to come in late or leave early if they have enough credits to meet graduation requirements.

School board members are considering changes to the program, dubbed early release/late entry, that would be effective next year.

The district requires students participating in early release/ late entry to keep a 70% cumulative GPA and maintain a 90% attendance rate. They must also submit a parent-signed application and present their school counselor with evidence of employment or proof of college course enrollment, among other requirements.

More than 25%, about 100 students, of the district’s 2024 graduating class participate in early release in some capacity, according to high school Principal David Palmer.

Palmer proposed limiting early release to the afternoon after 8th period, and removing the option for late entry.

The changes would take effect in the 2024-25 school year if approved, according to Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education Matthew Conner.

Palmer emphasized that the program has value, but raised concerns about students taking advantage of it and making sure that students are prepared to graduate. He noted that some students who use the program worked seasonal jobs, and are not attending work during the early release hours for part of the year.

“Our concern as an administration at the building level is, if a student is only taking three credits, and they are college bound, are we truly preparing that student properly for the rigors of college by only requiring three classes their senior year?” he said.

“There are some safety concerns as to the looseness that is there currently,” Conner said. “Getting this tightened up would be helpful.”

Palmer identified the change as potentially giving students more of an opportunity to “enroll in a wide variety of electives, expand their knowledge base, add more exposure to different career paths in an effort to become a more well-rounded citizen and (prepare) necessary skills to be successful post-graduation.”

The presentation also proposed adding an additional 1 credit requirement for the social studies curriculum, and adding a new “Modern America” history class, covering history from the 1980s to the present. Juniors who aren’t taking an AP history course would be required to take two out of three classes from a selection of the new Modern America course, economics and government.

The board did not vote on the proposals Monday night, as their next step will be to go to the policy committee for discussion.

Board comments

Board member Tony Bompiani highlighted that some students use the program to take college-level courses during the school day, and said he was happy that the district was taking a closer look at the program to make sure they know where students are at all times.

Board member Scott Learn praised the move and said that in his experience as a parent in the district, students sometimes are not using early release or late entry to participate in jobs.

“There were kids who don’t know how to write checks, there’s kids who don’t know how to look people in the eye and shake their hand,” Learn said, noting that he had heard of some students sleeping during the time away from school.

He was glad that the program was being examined.

“Our students have to get better, and we have to be the frontrunners on that,” he said. “I think it’s going to benefit the students.”