Administrators from Burnsville High School presented proposed updates to the 2025-26 course catalog at the Independent School District 191 board meeting, explaining a shift to an English 11 A/B semester sequence and other changes intended to align instruction with state standards and student assessment results.

Dr. Chris Belmont, assistant superintendent, introduced the presentation and turned it over to Principal Jesus Sandoval, who said the catalog changes include a revamped English 11 core structure, expanded access for early pathway engagement in areas such as automotive technology, and updated phrasing in several course descriptions to avoid overly specific requirements.

On the English 11 change, Sandoval said the administration proposed a two-semester sequence, English 11 A and English 11 B, to ensure state standards for 11th-grade students are met and to increase the number of students successfully completing the grade-level English requirement. Sandoval noted the change aims to reduce "singleton" classes (single-section genre electives) that can become imbalanced and to give the school more flexibility when balancing sections across semesters. He tied the rationale to recent ACT and MCA results: "We need to ensure that we are supporting our students and aligning to what our vision is," Sandoval said.

Board members asked how the change would affect seniors who currently take single-genre electives, and Sandoval said administration did not intend to remove options for seniors but wanted to reduce the risk that highly specific courses would not be offered if enrollment fell. On related points:
- DCTC College Algebra will be offered on-site in cooperation with Dakota County Technical College, per the presentation.
- Language describing use of a potter's wheel in ceramics was removed to avoid limiting the course if equipment or offerings change.
- The school has a set of cameras available to support digital photography classes so students are not required to bring their own devices.
- Spanish offerings include both a Spanish 1/2/3 sequence and a separate Spanish heritage learners track; the heritage track was described as an a/b (semester) format and may span multiple years depending on student placement.

Board members also pressed on enrollment thresholds and the decision process for offering courses. Sandoval and Dr. Belmont said enrollment minimums vary by course type and partner requirements (for example, CIS or college-linked courses have partner thresholds), and that the district tries to balance program growth and sustainability.

Principal Sandoval and Dr. Belmont confirmed that official student registration for courses opens Jan. 22, and they encouraged families to engage in course-planning conversations ahead of that date.

Ending
Board members thanked the presenters for the work on the catalog. The presentation moved to the next agenda item: student and superintendent reports.