District previews elementary science pilot, AI policy and E‑Rate funding timeline
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Unionville‑Chadds Ford staff briefed the board on a pilot to update elementary science curriculum to new Pennsylvania standards, a custom artificial intelligence policy being developed from PSBA/legal templates, and an upcoming E‑Rate procurement for network equipment that will come to the board for a spring vote.
Unionville‑Chadds Ford School District staff used the Feb. 18 board meeting to summarize recent work on curriculum and technology, including a pilot for elementary science curriculum aligned to Pennsylvania’s updated science standards, a custom district policy on artificial intelligence, and an E‑Rate timeline for planned network equipment purchases.
Miss Talbert said the district is piloting two elementary science programs to gather teacher feedback and expects to bring a recommendation to the board in April. She framed the work as a response to Pennsylvania’s revised science standards and said the district will update curriculum to stay current with those expectations.
On artificial intelligence, Talbert described a “real custom policy” the district is drafting by adapting guidance from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) and legal counsel. She said the policy emphasizes ongoing professional development for staff and is not a one‑time intervention; the district plans two multi‑session professional development events this year to help teachers implement related practices.
Technology staff also briefed the board about the federal E‑Rate program, which helps districts fund network equipment. Justin Webb (presented at the work session) explained how E‑Rate works and flagged a timeline for purchasing equipment; the board was told a vote on E‑Rate purchases is expected later this spring.
The presentation included a UHS program‑of‑studies survey that looked at new courses, AP usage and pathways such as TCHS programming. Staff said the work will inform choices about how to balance breadth and depth of course offerings at the high school level.
Board members did not take a vote on these items at the meeting; staff said formal recommendations (elementary science program selection and E‑Rate equipment purchases) will return to the board in the coming months.