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Board questions course‑catalog changes as public speaking, creative writing remain alternate‑year offerings
Summary
Board members pressed curriculum staff about offering public speaking and creative writing on alternating years and whether those courses should count toward English graduation credits; staff cited low enrollment (public speaking had 13 students last year) and said departments will re‑evaluate pathways and staffing.
Curriculum committee brought several items to the Nov. 3 meeting, including a one‑year DocuSign contract via BCIU, a replacement school‑based medical provider and the proposed 2026‑27 Oley Valley High School Program of Studies course catalog.
The Program of Studies prompted an extended discussion about how public speaking and creative writing are treated. One board member said the courses should carry greater weight and argued students benefit from consistent annual offerings: "I just think that we're undervaluing these skills…they're pretty critical skills in the modern day that we should be valuing as critical skills," the member said. Curriculum staff explained the district has scheduled the two courses on alternate years because of low enrollment; the staff member said public speaking had 13 students last year and alternating offerings helps guarantee that mandated courses remain available and class sizes meet minimums.
Several members urged exploring options to expand access — including dual‑enrollment partnerships, outreach to parents and alumni for data on college requirements, and department‑level review now that departmental meetings have been reestablished. Staff acknowledged the concerns and said course offerings and staffing would be evaluated yearly; the committee emphasized the need to present a course catalog in time for student registration.
Next steps: curriculum staff will review enrollment and staffing data, consult department heads and return with any recommended adjustments to the course catalog prior to registration. The transcript records discussion and direction but does not record a final vote on substantive changes to graduation credit rules.
