Big Walnut board approves 2026–27 high school program of studies, adds new courses

The Big Walnut Local School District Board of Education voted Dec. 15 to approve the 2026–27 Big Walnut High School program of studies, clearing the way for students to schedule new course offerings in January.

Superintendent Ryan McClain told the board the action is needed so high school counselors can open scheduling for next school year. "That requires board approval before we can start the scheduling process," McClain said, explaining the difference between a program of studies (the set of courses students can choose) and a curriculum adoption that lists every instructional material.

Discussion focused on wording and process. Several members asked whether the agenda item should be called a "course of study" or a "program of study" and whether the district should also provide more detailed lists of curricula and textbook materials for each class. Board members noted that producing a fully detailed, K–12 list of instructional materials would be a substantially larger project and not feasible in the short time available for scheduling.

The board amended the agenda language to read "program of studies" and then approved the 2026–27 Big Walnut High School program of studies. The materials accompanying the action list several new courses to be offered at the high-school level, including honors American Sign Language, Introduction to Business, and a U.S. literature course covering 1865 to the present.

Board members said the new course additions are intended to expand student options and to align scheduling with upcoming registration windows. The board did not adopt detailed textbook lists for each course at the meeting; members and staff said compiling that level of detail is a longer process that may continue after the program approval.

The approval was taken as a motion, seconded and approved by recorded vote.