The Summit Board of Education voted Dec. 16 to approve four superintendent‑recommended hires and discussed proposed curriculum changes intended to align course names and sequencing with student readiness.

Superintendent Scott Huff introduced the hires to the board before the vote: Mary Jane Custy as principal of Brayton Elementary School, Jessica Nardi as interim Brayton principal (effective Jan. 5 through Feb. 9 or sooner), Jerry Healy as full‑time school nurse for Jefferson Primary Center and Jefferson Elementary School, and Christa Saturnia for an FPPA teaching position at Summit High School. The board moved, seconded and approved the hires by roll call.

The Education and Student Activities Committee reported that staff reviewed course names at Summit High School and will rename several courses to reflect content level (examples include renaming two sections of English 1 to English 1 CPA and English 1 CPB to distinguish content). The committee also proposed changing the high‑school science sequence so that physics is taught later (biology, chemistry, then physics for grades 9–11) to ensure students have the algebra prerequisite and to increase readiness for AP physics in later grades; implementation is expected to take two years, beginning in 2026.

Committee members said the new and expanded electives (honors biology, essential Latin 1, beginner string orchestra, unified theater and expanded research courses) are being proposed without additional staffing, and supervisors told the committee existing staff can cover the offerings. The committee also formed a midterm/final exam review group that will study assessment weighting and report back late in the spring with recommendations; any proposed changes would come to the board for a vote.

The board approved curriculum, personnel and policy items on the consent agenda later in the meeting, including the classroom and program changes recommended by the committee.