S. Cayuga toughens standards

POPLAR RIDGE - Most high school seniors within the Southern Cayuga Central School District will have to say goodbye to a final year stacked with study halls.

The board of education Monday voted unanimously to raise the academic credit requirements for graduation from 22 to 26 credits - or 6.5 credits per year - likely filling students' schedules with core academic classes rather than study halls for their last year in secondary school.

The state Education Department mandates a minimum of 22 credits for graduation, but provides individual districts autonomy for greater requirements.