District reviews Pre-AP English, new CTE pathways and a gifted-education robotics purchase; 7th–8th grade curriculum approved

District staff presented several curriculum and program items, including a proposal to transition honors English 9 and 10 into the College Board Pre-AP English 1 and 2 frameworks, three Career and Technical Education (CTE) course proposals, and a request to buy robotics kits for gifted programming. Separately, the board approved the district’s 7th–8th grade curriculum as the official district curriculum by a 5–0 vote.

Pre-AP English: The curriculum presenter recommended replacing honors English 9 and honors English 10 with Pre-AP English 1 and Pre-AP English 2 beginning in the 2025–26 school year. Staff said Pre-AP 1 would emphasize close reading, critical analysis and evidence-based writing and that Pre-AP 2 would build toward AP-level reading and writing expectations. The presenter requested $3,000 to enroll in the Pre-AP overviews and access teacher training; additional instructional resources, if needed, would be brought back for board approval. Final approval of the Pre-AP transition is scheduled for February 2025.

CTE proposals: Staff presented three proposed CTE courses for 2025–26: a technical-level Natural Resource Management course (part of a new natural-resources and environmental-sustainability pathway, projected 25–50 students, grades 10–12); Work Experience in Manufacturing (semester-long, projected ~40 students); and Work Experience in Manufacturing — Comprehensive (year-long, projected ~40 students). Presenters said no additional staff would be required and that course enrollment estimates are based on current program interest and student surveys.

Gifted robotics: Heidi Carlson, assistant director of secondary special services, and Megan Geiser, assistant director of special services — elementary, proposed buying four robotics kits (each kit contains six robots). Staff said one kit would be assigned to each middle school and two to elementary schools, and estimated the purchase would serve about 50 students. Funds for the initial purchase were identified in a special-education account; staff said the kits require periodic replacement and intend to budget for replacement about every five years. The presenters provided a company quote totaling $18,895.80 and included a year-long training subscription for four gifted facilitators.

7th–8th grade curriculum approval: In the action portion of the meeting, a board member moved to approve the presented 7th–8th grade courses and standards as the official district curriculum; the motion passed 5–0. Staff said the change creates a separate 8th-grade literacy and composition course and moves seventh- and eighth-grade physical education and “skills for success” onto an AB schedule. Implementation resources will be presented to the board later this spring for a planned fall 2025 launch.

Ending: Pre-AP and the CTE courses will return for formal approval in February; gifted-education staff will proceed with procurement planning and integration training now that funding has been identified for the initial purchase.