West Milford advances computer science, cybersecurity and esports clubs as part of college-career pathway push

West Milford Board of Education officials said the district is expanding access to computer science and cybersecurity courses, approved a student esports club and is pursuing a state esports grant to build a ‘computer science pathway’ for middle- and high-school students. The district’s assistant superintendent told the board at the Jan. 28 meeting that the cybersecurity course and related computer-science activities are under way and that the esports effort is intended to create opportunities beyond competitive gaming.

The assistant superintendent said the district won a computer science grant last year that “led us into a big shift in the way we're talking about computer science and computer programming” and that the new cybersecurity course has begun in the third marking period. He also said the district is “hopefully approving tonight the Maccabid Esports Club” as a precursor to pursuing the state esports grant.

Why it matters: administrators said the steps aim to increase student exposure to high-interest subjects that can translate to college and careers. The district described esports as more than gameplay, saying it includes marketing, broadcasting, event planning, sound recording and networking work that can build career skills.

What was said and approved: the assistant superintendent told the board the esports effort seeks to move students from individual gaming at home into organized, school-based activities that also teach production and technical skills. “It's not just students playing Smash Brothers,” he said; “it's about the background of it ... marketing, the advertising, the broadcasting, the color commentary during the events.” The board voted earlier in the meeting to move and approve education agenda items (12.2–12.11), which included the esports club approval as part of a consent bundle (motion moved and the roll call later recorded affirmative votes).

Details and next steps: the assistant superintendent said the district will present a fuller “college and career pathways” plan at the February meeting and listed computer science as one of the identified pathways. He added the district plans to continue the clubs and courses whether or not the state grant is awarded, but that grant funding would accelerate and expand the programs.

Context: the district also is launching a middle-school computer-science club, run by high-school and middle-school computer-science teachers, and is sending sign-up information to middle-school parents. Officials said the actions build on a district computer science grant awarded at the end of the previous year.

Looking ahead: the board will hear more on pathways at its February meeting; staff said they will keep the board informed about the esports grant application and program development.