Awards For Achievement

The Superintendent or designee may appoint an awards committee at each school to consider student accomplishments. This committee may consist of school administrators, teachers, parents/guardians and/or community members. The committee shall submit recommendations for student awards to the Superintendent or designee for approval. Individual awards in excess of $200 must be expressly approved by the Board of Education. (Education Code 44015) Merit Diplomas To be eligible to receive the Golden State Seal Merit Diploma upon graduation, students shall complete all requirements for a high school diploma and shall demonstrate a mastery of at least six subject areas, four of which shall be mathematics, English language arts, science and United States history, with the remaining two subject areas selected by the student. (Education Code 51451) To demonstrate mastery of these subject areas, students shall achieve the standards or achievement levels established by the State Board of Education. (Education Code 51452; 5 CCR 876) The Superintendent or designee shall affix an insignia to the diploma and transcript of each student awarded the merit diploma. (Education Code 51454) Scholarship and Loan Fund The district's scholarship and loan fund shall be administered by a committee composed of Board members, the Superintendent and other community, faculty, administrative and/or student representatives determined by the Board. (Education Code 35310) Members of this committee shall be appointed by the Board and shall serve one-year terms. The Superintendent shall serve as chairperson of the committee and chief executive officer of the fund. (Education Code 35311) The committee shall meet at least once each fiscal year and at other such times as it may be called into session by the Superintendent. (Education Code 35312) Scholarship and loan funds shall be deposited, administered and audited in accordance with Education Code 35314 and 35318. The committee may accept gifts, donations and bequests made for the purposes of the fund. The committee also may prescribe conditions or restrictions on these gifts and bequests. The committee shall review any conditions imposed by the donor and make a recommendation to the Board as to the compatibility of such conditions with the intent and purpose of the fund. The Board may prohibit the committee from accepting any donation under conditions it finds incompatible with the fund's intent and purpose. (Education Code 35313) The Superintendent or designee shall establish regulations governing applications for loans from the fund. Eligibility for a scholarship or loan award shall not be limited on account of race, creed, or country of origin. (Education Code 35316) The Superintendent or designee shall make at least annual reports to the Board regarding the status and activity of the fund. (Education Code 35319)