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Board approves new high‑school courses including construction, ELD‑history and first‑responder intro
Summary
Trustees approved several new and revised 2026–27 high‑school courses — including Construction Explorations/Construction Math (Operating Engineers pathway), an ELD‑US‑History foundations course, a first‑responder introductory class, a Discovery Academy CTE foundation and a middle‑school theater arts offering — and authorized catalog revisions.
The St. Cloud Area School District board approved a set of new and revised high‑school course proposals for the 2026–27 catalog after staff described the vetting process and answered trustees’ questions.
Anna Wilhite, director of grades 9–12 education, said course proposals were reviewed by district directors, high‑school principals, SCEA representatives and advisory committees. New offerings approved by the board included Construction Explorations and a paired Construction Math course through a partnership with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49 (students must be enrolled at Tech Apollo or McKinley to access the online pathway); an English‑language‑development course aligned with U.S. history (ELD US History Foundations); a First Responders Intro course covering EMR, fire services and dispatch; a CTE “Discovery Academy” foundational course to replace a more advanced engine‑performance starter course; an expanded College in the Schools option; and a middle‑school theater arts elective.
Wilhite said construction pathway courses are free to students and are designed so students can progress into apprenticeship opportunities. Trustees discussed whether to change the title “Discovery Academy” for clarity in the catalog; staff said they are exploring alternatives and will rely on course descriptions to ensure students understand offerings.
The board moved and approved the course proposals by roll call; staff will finalize course descriptions and prepare an updated, more user‑friendly course catalog for a future publication cycle.
