Board hears first reading of course changes and new CTE capstone at Somerset High School

Trent presented proposed registration‑guide edits and a first reading of curriculum changes the high school will propose for board approval in December. He said universal perspectives would be renamed Science Revolutions to focus on science standards, Multimedia Productions would be reduced from a year‑long to a semester (0.5 credit) and reclassified from English credit to elective to allow staffing flexibility, and the CIS Writing Studio name change to University Writing would be contingent on University of Minnesota approval.

Trent described three new high‑school offerings: a CTE capstone intended to give students deeper workplace/business experiences after completing business 1 and 2; a speech course contingent on obtaining a licensed staff member (which would reduce the district’s tuition payments for students who currently take speech externally); and AP Human Geography to expand AP options. He noted potential savings if the district offers speech in‑house instead of paying ECCP tuition for outside providers.

Board members asked whether the multimedia credit change would reduce available English credits and whether speech credits would still transfer to college. Trent said he expects adequate English options and that CIS/University classes are contingent on partner approval from the University of Minnesota; speech would be a high‑school offering and not necessarily a college credit course unless the university partnership is finalized.

No formal vote was taken; this was recorded as a first reading with formal approval planned at the December regular session.