That was the general consensus at a school board meeting Jan. 5.

It was a work session so no decision was made, but board members seemed to agree the senior projects, which are no longer a state requirement for graduation, have run their course.

Their discussion agreed with a survey in which 821 people responded. An overwhelming 87 percent of students, 80 percent of parents, 56 percent of community and 50 percent of teachers voted to eliminate the culminating project.

“I’m not surprised people aren’t jumping up and down to continue it,” board member Pete Lundberg said. “They were catch as catch can.”

Lundberg judged some of the senior projects and found that different high schools had different expectations and standards for the projects. Some took it seriously and allowed students time to do quality work. Others treated it like it was a chore, just another assignment.

“Some were really, really good,” he said. “Some served less of a purpose.”

Board member Chris Nation added that the best ones were those where the student was allowed to do a project “based on a passion that inspired them.”

The goal of the senior projects was for students to show off in a presentation all of the skills they had learned in high school. It often involved research, writing, public speaking, graphic display and other skills.

Comments against the senior projects that were noted in the survey include:

• Running Start students had to do them even though they were in college, already with a heavy load.

• Parent involvement and cost. All students don’t have the same resources and support.

• It was time-consuming and stressful.

• Time would be better spent applying for college, writing essays for college and test preparation.

• It wasn’t meaningful, just a hoop to jump through. There’s no consistency in expectations, even in the district.

Another reason to get rid of the culminating project is higher expectations for seniors, the board said. The Smarter Balanced Assessment will be a graduation requirement next year. Passage rate is often lower than other state tests. Biology also is being added as an end of course exam. And there is talk of requiring 24 credits for graduation instead of 23.

The board also had a discussion on that last topic.

“That leaves no room for error,” Superintendent Becky Berg said, meaning that students would have to pass every class to graduate on time. She added that 72 percent of students graduate on time now, and that she would “expect more not to cross the line” in four years with the tougher credit requirement.

Assistant Superintendent Ray Houser hinted that he is afraid that standard could lead to more students dropping out.

“My fear is that if they fail once and think they are not on track to graduate” what will happen next? he said.

Nation showed concern for the price tag.

“What’s it going to cost to catch the kids up to 24” credits? he asked.

Houser recommended moving forward with the 24 credit requirement and getting rid of the senior projects.

“It’s not in our best interest,” he said.

Cinco Delgado, an executive director of learning, said rigor has increased for students, with Advanced Placement and Honors courses, etc.

Of the senior projects, he said, “They were great for a different era.”

Houser added that many courses had assignments similar to culminating projects prior to the state requiring them in 2008. He suggested some teachers might return to that concept.

“It’s like a rite of passage,” he said.

Whatever is decided with the credits and senior projects, the school board agreed the district needs to help students decide what they want to do with their futures. They said the district needs to stress its High School and Beyond Plan.

“It’s beneficial to the kids, gives them direction in life,” Nation said.