Board adopts program-of-studies changes: required classes for underclassmen, new AP and floriculture offerings
Loading...
Summary
The board approved updates to Ottumwa High School and Gateway program-of-studies, including a requirement that sophomores and juniors enroll in seven classes per semester, seniors allowed one free period, addition of floriculture, and a new AP Precalculus course.
The Ottumwa Community School District board approved revisions to the 2026 Program of Studies for Ottumwa High School (OHS) and Gateway.
District presenters highlighted several changes the board approved: beginning next year, "all sophomores and juniors will need to be enrolled in 7 classes each semester" to encourage participation in electives and work-based learning, while seniors will be eligible for one free period per semester. The agriculture program will add floriculture, and AgCenter offerings that require two-period blocks will be scheduled as two distinct courses so students earn separate credits for each period.
Administrators also said the district will rename or relabel some work-based learning courses to better reflect partnerships with Indian Hills and that an AP Precalculus course will replace an advanced mathematical concepts class to expand AP options. Presenters said OHS now offers eight AP courses and has increased concurrent-enrollment offerings taught by OHS staff.
A Gateway presenter said Gateway will change Earth and Space Science A/B to Environmental Science to better align with OHS offerings.
The board asked for questions, then moved and approved the program-of-studies changes without further amendment. No public commenters addressed the curriculum changes during the meeting.
