GUSTINE - Students at Gustine High will need to take one less year of math in future years to earn their high school diploma.

The school board voted unanimously last week to scrap a three-year math requirement in favor of a two-year requirement.

The new format will allow students who may not be college-bound to satisfy their math requirements without taking more advanced courses.

The three-year requirement, Principal Dennis Shaw said, was proving to be an obstacle to some students who are vocationally oriented.

“This is something we have looked at for a couple of years. We determined that we are not being successful with students passing Algebra II,” he explained. “We decided to make geometry the final course that has to be passed, which then allows those students to pursue electives as juniors and seniors.”

The same range of advanced mathematics courses will be available for students preparing to enter college, Shaw stressed.

Assistant Principal John Petrone agreed that the change will open new avenues for students on different paths.

“When you get to that third year, you’re talking about math levels required to get into college,” he commented. “With this, it frees things up a little bit so that the vocationally-minded students can go that way. It gives them more opportunities and is more conducive to their needs and goals.”

The new requirement was unanimously approved by the board.

Sober Grad transportation

Board members also approved a request from the Sober Grad Committee asking that the district provide bus transportation to the annual graduation night celebration - with conditions attached.

At the suggestion of board member Christine Parreira, the approval is contingent on good behavior by the senior class through the remainder of the year.

The district had provided transportation in past years until a widely-publicized senior “prank” went awry two years ago and caused extensive damage to the campus, Parreira noted.

This year, Superintendent Gail McWilliams said, Sober Grad organizers looked into chartering transportation but found the cost prohibitive - leading to the request for district support.

“I don’t mind supporting this as long as there are no pranks or vandalism whatsoever that happens with the senior class,” Parreira stressed. “If one thing happens, I don’t want our buses used at all.”

Board President Pat Rocha agreed.

“If we can do this it would be a contribution to Sober Grad, but it would have to be because they earned it at the end,” Rocha stated. “It’s that simple.”

The approval to provide district-funded transportation is subject to revocation for any violation of the senior behavior contract which incurs any damage or costs to the district.

McWilliams estimated the cost of providing the bus service at $1,123.

In past years, the district has donated up to $5,000 to support Sober Grad.

That donation, however, has been discontinued because of the budget crisis facing local schools.