Board reviews $47,479 middle‑school electives resource request tied to high‑school pathways

District staff presented a resource request totaling $47,479.05 to support newly approved middle‑school electives that link to high‑school pathways in media, technology, environmental science and music.

The presenter said the request covers four primary areas: media (including sixth‑grade keyboarding and seventh‑grade photography curriculum), technology (an intro to computer coding curriculum and robotics kits), environmental science (an agricultural curriculum plus teacher professional development), and music (a teacher platform and student practice accounts). The middle‑school coding curriculum requested would align with the high school's CodeHS platform and use the same robotics kits as the high school; the music platform is an updated version of tools the district has used previously for practice and assessment.

The board discussed whether the typing platform would replace the district's current eduTyping option and confirmed the requested platform (typing.com) would replace the older option. The presenter said the new resources are intended to strengthen early exposure to pathways that include AP computer science and other high‑school CTE offerings; the board heard that between 50 and 60 students typically take the district's two AP computer science courses.

The presenter provided overviews and a resource request totaling $47,479.05 and answered board questions about course alignment and continuity with high‑school programming. Board members indicated agreement to place the item on the consent agenda for approval.