Corbin, Williamsburg school boards vote to raise dropout age to 18

Corbin and Williamsburg Independent Schools are among the first to amend their policies that will raise the age a student must reach before dropping out of high school from 16 to 18.

Tuesday marked the first day local school districts could legally make the change after the legislature passed the bill earlier this year.

The Corbin School board approved the change during a special called meeting Tuesday afternoon while the Williamsburg School Board approved the change during a meeting Tuesday night.

Nancy Rodriguez, a spokesperson with the Kentucky Department of Education, said under the new law, the change will go into effect at the beginning of the 2015-16 school year.

It will be on a district-by-district basis until 55 percent (96 of 174) of the state’s districts adopt the new policy. At that point, it becomes mandatory for districts across the state.

Officials at Corbin and Williamsburg voiced their support for the change, saying with career options for high school dropouts becoming more and more limited, it is important that school districts do as much as possible to help students earn their diploma.

“We want to encourage these students to finish high school,” said Williamsburg Independent Schools Superintendent Denny Byrd.

“In the long run, I think it’s really going to benefit the students,” Byrd said. “I know many times money is an issue, but when it comes down to it our hearts should be about educating the students and having them prepared for life … I just think there’s very few people that would be ready to take on the world at 16.”

Corbin School Board Chair Kim Croley agreed, noting that raising the age gives school officials more time to reach potential dropouts and encourage them to get their diploma, whether it is as a traditional student, through the alternative school or the credit recovery program.

While Williamsburg does not currently have a credit recovery program in place, Byrd said officials are looking at similar programs in place in Corbin and Whitley County School systems and will determine which may be appropriate for Williamsburg.

Williamsburg may receive some financial help from the state to establish the program. School systems that approve the policy change during the 2013-14 school year may receive a $10,000 planning grant.

Byrd said Williamsburg officials may use those funds toward the credit recovery program.

Croley said if Corbin receives the grant, one suggestion has been to use it to cover the cost of taking duel credit courses for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch.

The cost of the classes, for which students receive credit toward their diploma and also credit toward their college degree, is $50.

“The days of dropping out of high school and expecting a dependable, well-paying job are long gone,” said Gov. Steve Beshear. “If the high school dropouts of 2009 had graduated, Kentucky’s economy would have an additional $4.2 billion in wages over those students’ lifetimes. Guiding those students to graduation creates significant benefits not only for the students themselves, but also for the communities where they live.”