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Board approves notices to modernize secondary course approval process, establish Curriculum Commission
Summary
Trustees approved notices of intent to update Policy and Regulation 61.21 to create a Curriculum Commission and formalize how secondary courses are added, revised or retired; staff said materials and postings will be made available and parents encouraged to participate.
The Clark County School District Board of Trustees on Oct. 9 approved notices of intent to amend Policy 61.21 and Regulation 61.21 to modernize the district’s process for approving secondary course offerings and to formalize a Curriculum Commission.
Elena Kreiner Wilson and Robert Jones described the proposed changes: updates to the policy language to recognize a formal system of curriculum design, creation of an 18‑member Curriculum Commission composed of secondary administrators and licensed educators, and clarifications on the commission’s responsibilities to review and approve or deny new, revised and retired secondary courses using scope-and-goal documents and parliamentary procedures. Jones said the commission already has 18 commissioners in place and that the district runs two commissions a year (spring and fall) that result in postings of course changes via the CCSD Wire and curriculum administrator meetings.
Trustees asked about opportunities for parent and student involvement, diversity of commission membership, frequency of commission meetings and where retired courses and justifications would be posted. Jones and staff said parents can participate through school-based task forces, interest forms and the district’s course development timelines; staff committed to posting revision/retirement notices on the curriculum and instruction website and to improving public access to those postings.
Trustee Baron described the course-approval process as intentionally simple and potentially nimble, with a one-page application and templates to support school‑level task forces. Trustees moved and seconded the notice of intent for both policy and regulation; both motions passed 7–0.
The changes are intended to align policy language with current practice, improve transparency and provide a clear route for schools, teachers and parents to propose new courses or revisions.
Next steps include posting the proposed regulation details and adding clearer public guidance on how parents and community members can participate in course development work.
