Board to consider honors geometry, precalculus and Raspberry Pi dual-enrollment proposals; math supervisor Kelly Brent to retire

Kelly Brent, the district's math department supervisor, outlined three curriculum updates she will bring to the board for approval in two weeks: a revised honors geometry sequence aligned across middle and high school; a revamped precalculus course intended to reinforce algebra skills and trigonometry needed for success in calculus; and a Raspberry Pi dual-enrollment course offered through Harrisburg University that gives students college credit for project-based computer-science work.

Brent said honors geometry will be taught at both middle and high school levels so students experience consistent rigor, and teachers collaborated on learning goals and standards. On precalculus she said the revision aims to focus students on the algebra skills and trigonometry concepts most needed in calculus. "Precalculus is the bridge from algebra/trigonometry to calculus," Brent said. Board members and visiting educators who heard the presentation praised the collaboration across grade levels.

Brent described Raspberry Pi as a project-based course that has run about five years in partnership with Harrisburg University; students can choose whether to take the college credit. She singled out Robin Wolf, the course instructor, for her outreach to university partners. Several trustees thanked Brent for her work; the board acknowledged Brent's announced retirement and congratulated her on her service.

The three curriculum items were described as coming forward formally for board approval at the next regular meeting and will appear on the agenda for a vote in two weeks. No vote occurred in the committee meeting.