Board hears plan to differentiate middle- and high-school health curriculum; stakeholder group to meet

The Manitowoc School Board received an update on plans to differentiate health curriculum for middle-school and high-school students and to form a stakeholder committee to guide changes.

Staff said statewide youth risk behavior survey results, district data and counselor feedback indicate the district’s current health curriculum is outdated and broad because it is taught at only one grade level. The plan is to prioritize essential standards into a developmentally appropriate middle-school health course (likely 7th or 8th grade) and a companion high-school health course that would align with 9th-grade physical education.

Board members raised scheduling concerns, noting community passion about preserving middle-school elective options. Staff committed to working with middle schools on creative scheduling so adding a middle-school health course would not reduce elective opportunities. The transcript records staff saying the stakeholder committee will consider whether students who previously received 0.5 credit for middle-school health will be grandfathered or otherwise accommodated; the committee will decide credit treatment.

Staff said the committee’s first meeting is scheduled for Thursday and that any recommended curricular materials, pilots, or purchases would be brought to the curriculum committee and then to the board for formal approval. No staff increases are anticipated at this time, though staffing needs districtwide will be reviewed as plans firm up.

The board did not take formal action on the curriculum during this meeting; the matter was presented for information and committee work.