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Board moves AP Computer Science Principles, VEX robotics purchase and two field trips to consent; district approves some student services items immediately
Summary
Superintendent recommended adding AP Computer Science Principles to the 2025–26 catalog, a VEX robotics quote for Scitech, and two John Harris field trips; the board moved these items to the March 25 consent agenda while approving certain student-service waivers immediately.
District administrators proposed adding AP Computer Science Principles to the 2025–26 course catalog at John Harris High School, presented a quote from VEX Robotics to support Scitech science classrooms, and requested approval of two John Harris field trips.
Doctor Craig and other administrators described the AP course as an “access” course intended to increase interest in STEM and broaden participation among students underrepresented in AP classes. “College Board is offering a scholarship for our teachers to be trained to teach this course, as well as resource materials so that we can roll this out and implement this course,” Craig said. The course listing in the catalog includes Algebra I as a prerequisite; administrators said they will return with detailed curriculum and resource information for board approval.
The VEX Robotics quote is intended to support science projects at Scitech; administrators said listed items would be purchased to carry out classroom science projects. Two field trips for students in the SBI program at John Harris were also presented: a college visit to the University of Maryland and an end-of-year celebration to Six Flags.
Board members asked for more detail on curricular materials and program supports. “I have a couple of questions … Do we have any curricular resources? Do we know what they are?” asked Mister Thompson Leader. Administrators said they would provide more specific curriculum and resource information at a later meeting; the board moved items e (learning resources), f (field trips) and g (curriculum and instruction) to the March 25 consent agenda for approval.
No vote was taken on the AP course adoption at the March 11 meeting beyond moving it to consent; administrators said they will return with the course curriculum and resource plan before the course is offered.
