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Board reviews low‑enrollment high‑school courses; trustees ask for five‑year data and creative scheduling options
Summary
Trustees reviewed a list of high‑school courses with enrollment below 20, discussed historic policy changes that set discipline‑specific size guidelines, and urged administration to analyze five‑year trends and explore options such as Gateway to College and community‑college partnerships to preserve course access while managing costs.
The curriculum and technology committee presented a roster of high‑school courses identified as having preliminary enrollments under 20 students and discussed how to balance course access with staffing and budget constraints.
Dr. Duong (first name used in transcript) reminded trustees that the district’s current practice of showing courses under 20 to the board is partly historical: a 2019 policy update moved from a blanket “fewer than 20” rule to course‑specific class‑size guidelines. She said many courses flagged as low enrollment nonetheless fall within the policy’s acceptable ranges for those subjects.
Board members asked for a five‑year enrollment look‑back and explored options to reduce the financial strain of multiple low‑enrollment sections. One trustee suggested increasing use of Montgomery County Community College or Gateway to College programs so students could access needed courses without the high school maintaining low‑enrollment sections. Trustees discussed maintaining student choice and access while being “creative” about where classes are offered.
Why it matters: Several modern language and elective courses appeared on the list with enrollments near 18 students. Trustees said they want to preserve curricular choice for students but also to ensure efficient staffing amid budget pressure.
Next steps: Administration agreed to provide a five‑year enrollment analysis for the fall committee meeting and to bring possible scheduling and partnership options (including Gateway to College and community‑college agreements) for further discussion.
Ending: Trustees planned additional curriculum committee work in the fall to review historical enrollment trends and to consider policy adjustments or local partnerships that would maintain student access while managing costs.
