Brush High principal outlines new schedule, CTE courses and internships

Brush High Principal Marnice Harris told the South Euclid-Lyndhurst Board of Education on May 20 that the high school is moving to a collaboratively designed schedule and adding career-and-technical and experiential courses to give students more post‑graduation options.

Harris said counselors, department coordinators and central office staff drove a scheduling review this year and that “student request were the driving the driving factor for our course offerings.” She listed new or revived classes that the high school plans to offer, including an entrepreneurship course tied to college credit, a “Playbook for Success” course teaching coaching and officiating that leads to licensure, advanced conditioning and independent-study options, and an intro-to-broadcasting course that will include student podcast production.

Why it matters: Harris framed the changes as responses to student demand and local workforce needs. The new courses are intended both to meet state academic requirements and to create “earn while you learn” opportunities so students can gain certifications or paid work while still in high school.

Details and proposals - Entrepreneurship: Harris said the course will follow an introductory business class and include certification opportunities and college credit. “Once they go through our entrepreneurship class, they actually will get… 3 college credits from the University of Iowa,” she said. The program would also support student-run sales and bazaars. - Playbook for Success: A revival of a former course, taught with coaching and officiating skills so students can obtain officiating licenses for sports and work while in school. - CTE expansions and partnerships: Harris described an expanded partnership with Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) to offer a machinist program that can lead to a welding certificate and a potential internship with Swagelok. She also said the district is exploring a pre‑nursing pathway with STNA certification, manufacturing-focused programs, and expanded exercise and sports‑management options. - Certification focus: Harris emphasized certification as an outcome, saying the district will pursue Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt and Yellow Belt) and other industry credentials in later years. - JROTC application: Harris said the district applied for JROTC and is “20 seventh on the list,” and that staff were awaiting word. - Student interest data: Harris cited internal data showing 37% of students requested courses based on interest and 15% indicated they wanted opportunities to earn money while enrolled.

Implementation and next steps Harris said department coordinators, counselors and central office staff shaped the schedule and that the district will continue community outreach and marketing so students and parents understand new options. She said some changes depend on outside approvals or partner commitments (for example, finalizing Tri‑C partnerships or JROTC placement).

Board members asked a few follow-ups about JROTC and outreach; Harris confirmed the district has applied and is waiting on placement. She also said counselors provided course-request history used to shape offerings.

The board did not take a formal vote on the scheduling framework itself at the meeting; Harris presented the proposals for review and discussion.