FAIRFIELD — Each year for the past four years, the number of credits a student had to earn to graduate from Fairfield Senior High School has been on the increase, rising from 18 in 1997 to 26 credits now. That trend could be reversed.

        The Fairfield Board of Education will vote Dec. 20 on a policy revision that would decrease the number of credits needed to 24, beginning with this year's seniors. “The state is at 21 credits. We're above most area schools,” said Superintendent Robert Farrell. “Twenty-four credits — which we were at last year — is still a high standard.”

        Mr. Farrell said the change would affect about 30-35 students who might not otherwise have enough credits to graduate on time and could be at risk of dropping out because of it.

        “Both the (senior) high school and alternative school will be well served. It will provide an opportunity for students who are deficient in credit to graduate on time in June,” said Gina Williams, who supervises Fairfield's alternative programs.

        Fairfield Senior High School counselor Rick Serge said Friday that some stu dents leave the high school and try to enroll in neighboring schools that require fewer credits for graduation.

        “That jump from 24 to 26 credits was really difficult for (some) students to attain.” Mr. Serge said, adding that “we're not talking hundreds of kids here.”.

        The change would mostly affect the number of electives students take, said Cathy Milligan, Fairfield's assistant superintendent, who worked on the policy.

        Seniors would still have to have four credits in English, three in social studies and math, two in science and one-half credit in health and physical education to graduate. Members of the Class of 2004 and later would need three credits in science to graduate.

Accused molester out of hospital
Girl Scouts get bridge to pin their name on
UC budget may call for tuition hike
Roadwork complete on I-471
Funding denied for roadwork
Cash-strapped state to close Orient prison
County balks at Banks' financing plan
Fire chief hopes to hire planner
Guns, chemicals sought in Waagner car
Half pass 4th-grade reading
Israel trip emotional ride for area Jews
Tristate's Olympic torchbearers
Business wants school to move
DeWitt helps out Loveland
Local Digest
Obituary: Aldrich Kossuth Paul, led department at UC
Obituary: Lawrence Hoffman, former Enquirer employee
THOMPSON: Congregation home for Hanukkah
Banner symbolizes nonviolence
Building sites being plundered
Council members question pay raises
Fairfield may ease credits to graduate
Husband sought after shooting
McNUTT: Students plan gift collection
NKU arena isn't likely
Year-round school has foes
County attorney seeks re-election
Kentucky Digest
SAMPLES: Sidewalk ramp relief
Artificial heart patient memorialized
Business interests gave $3.3M to candidates
Man faces 267 felony counts
Ticket surcharge proposed to lure NBA team