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School board approves three new high‑school courses including Carpentry 3 and EMT sequence
Summary
The Gloucester County School Board approved three new course proposals — Carpentry 3, Ecology & Environmental Management, and EMT 1–2 — as part of the 2025–26 Program of Studies, noting community partnerships and grant support for the EMT pilot.
The Gloucester County School Board approved three new high‑school course proposals Tuesday evening, adding Carpentry 3, Ecology and Environmental Management, and an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) 1–2 sequence to the draft 2025–26 Program of Studies.
Superintendent’s presenter Dr. Ford said the courses emerged from a committee that reviewed staffing, costs, graduation requirements and student interest. He told the board the EMT offering had been piloted previously and will be grant funded, while Carpentry 3 builds on existing CTE sequencing and offers industry credentialing opportunities. Ecology and Environmental Management expands agricultural and environmental instruction.
Board members asked about materials and staffing. One member suggested local sponsorship for carpentry materials; presenters said the division expects to cover modest material costs within existing budgets and is pursuing community partnerships. Ford said the division reviewed six new course proposals and recommended three for approval after considering licensure and budget constraints.
After questions about dual‑enrollment possibilities, space and staffing, the board moved to approve the three course proposals and the editorial updates to the Program of Studies. The motion was recorded as passed by roll call (motion passes 6–0 in the transcript record).
Next steps include final edits in the Program of Studies document, parent and student advisement about course availability through school web pages and social media, and staffing interviews for grant‑funded positions in coming weeks. The board noted that acceptance of new courses will be coordinated with human resources and finance to address any future staffing needs.
The Program of Studies item was presented as informational and acted on during the meeting; board materials list the proposed course descriptions and the committee’s recommendations. The division will notify parents and advertise new offerings to help students plan schedules for the coming year.
