Hudsonville board reviews large slate of new high‑school courses, staff flag equipment and scheduling needs
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Summary
District staff presented multiple proposed courses for the 2026–27 catalog — including Advanced Media Productions, Modern Composition (with AI instruction), a sculpture course and an AP rural history offering — and warned some proposals will require equipment purchases and scheduling changes before final approval.
Hudsonville Public School District staff on Monday presented a broad slate of proposed high‑school courses and electives they are asking the board to approve for the 2026–27 school year.
Presenters described a range of offerings intended to expand career and technical opportunities, college‑level options and arts programming. "Advanced Media Productions ... [is] focused on producing content for our extracurricular programs, sports programs, bands, other clubs," said a presenter, describing plans to display student‑produced video on stadium boards and other district screens. Staff said the course could run as a spring trimester pilot with one to two sections once equipment quotes are finalized.
Staff also proposed an "Advanced Practical Applications of Art" course emphasizing the business side of craft and local partnerships, and a sculpture class to address a gap in 3‑D art instruction that staff said has affected AP studio portfolio outcomes. "We had a strong ceramics program up to the AP studio art course," the art presenter said, adding that a sculpture course "would bring balance to the 2‑D side of the art program with the 3‑D side."
A proposed AP rural history course was presented as an advanced placement option that, with prerequisites and teacher recommendation, could be made available to freshmen in some cases. Staff identified Eric Hune as the likely instructor should the board approve the course.
Mark, a staff presenter, outlined a proposed "Modern Composition" course that would teach professional communication and incorporate instruction on using AI tools responsibly. "We see building AI into this course as a major component of the instruction," he said, adding that training for teachers would accompany the rollout.
Staff repeatedly cautioned that equipment purchases for courses such as Advanced Media Productions have not yet been approved and that the district is developing a prioritized procurement sequence to avoid unnecessary purchases. The board heard enrollment figures and staffing constraints for music and art programs, and managers said textbook selection and scheduling adjustments would follow course approval.
No formal votes on course approvals were recorded in the transcript excerpt; staff said course approval would allow them to proceed with textbook selection and implementation steps. The board is expected to consider formal approval at a subsequent meeting after additional cost and scheduling details are finalized.