Fairfield Union considers new courses, expands dual-enrollment offerings in program of studies first reading

Superintendent Bellville presented the Fairfield Union Local School District's program of studies for a first reading, outlining proposed new electives, a plan to reconfigure the library as a multimedia center and an expansion of College Credit Plus (dual-enrollment) courses pending approval from Muskingum University.

The program of studies document contains highlighted items that Bellville said are new or awaiting outside approvals. "You'll notice in the program of studies, there's a lot of highlighted information, that is new or pending materials," Bellville said, adding the district is waiting on Muskingum University to approve several teachers as dual-enrollment instructors.

Why it matters: expanding dual-enrollment offerings allows students who cannot travel to a university campus to earn college credit at their home high school, potentially increasing college access and saving families time and money.

Bellville described plans to expand multimedia and applied courses and to use the library as "a multimedia center as opposed to a true library," offering classes such as journalism, multimedia production and video editing while retaining books for checkout. He said the district will begin gauging student interest now and bring the program of studies back for a second reading at the board's first April meeting.

On dual enrollment, Bellville credited Muskingum University for being responsive to the district's requests to approve teachers based on credentials and experience. He said one teacher's qualifications would allow students to earn credit for multiple Spanish courses. "Those are 4 three-credit-hour classes. So our kids could leave here with 12 hours of college credit in Spanish," Bellville said, noting that transferability of credit may vary by receiving institution.

Board members asked about minimum enrollment thresholds for new electives. Bellville said the district has no strict cutoff but generally prefers more than about 10 students to make a class viable; he noted some new courses may run with low enrollment in their first year to evaluate demand.

Bellville also reminded the board that state-level changes may require handbook updates. He said he expects forthcoming budget- or legislative-level changes that could mandate stricter cell-phone policies during instruction and updated policies on artificial intelligence. "I fully anticipate that it will probably end up in the budget bill, but the state will mandate that cell phones have to be banned during instruction," Bellville said, adding that any changes will require a subsequent handbook revision.

The agenda also noted upcoming staffing activity tied to retirements, professional development days and planned remote learning days; Bellville said the district has already begun recruiting to fill openings and posted some positions in February to get ahead of regional hiring.

The program of studies remains at first reading; board members will review the proposed course list and return it for a second reading and potential vote at the board's April meeting.