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Berlin Area School District outlines curriculum changes as enrollment pressures threaten offerings
Summary
District staff described new course requirements and local electives, flagged outside partner enrollment minimums that may limit CAP classes, and warned that declining student numbers jeopardize extracurriculars and specialty courses such as CNA and academic decathlon.
The presenter reported school-level curriculum changes and warned that declining enrollment and staff credentials are making it harder to maintain specialty courses and extracurricular opportunities.
The presenter said the district is updating how it responds when students do not complete their own work and is incorporating feedback into handbook language before returning it to staff. "This is just some anecdotal data," the presenter said, describing the student body and school culture while noting behavior data is strong.
Staff described efforts to build leadership among underclassmen as a large senior class prepares to graduate, and said district-sponsored leadership activities and off-site conferences have been aimed at creating student leaders for next year. The presenter said the district must be strategic to preserve smaller activities — "for those 9, like, that's their thing" — and called on the board to support teachers seeking additional licensure that enables more course offerings.
Officials warned that UW Oshkosh's CAP program has increased enrollment minimums, which could make local delivery less cost-effective. The presenter said the CNA class will need eight students next year to run; "we've got 7 this year," the presenter said, adding that the current students passed their program. The board was told staff may recruit students from neighboring schools to meet minimums.
Catalog changes were announced: personal finance will be required for the class of 2028 (current sophomores), social studies will add a Wisconsin history elective, and a new Marine Park class will replace Foundations of Early Childhood. Staff member Missy Downer is pursuing certification to teach health, safety and nutrition required for early childhood coursework.
Why it matters: administrators said these course and staffing adjustments affect student engagement and access. They emphasized that maintaining opportunities such as academic decathlon and robotics requires creative staffing and community cooperation as enrollments and resources decline.
Next steps: staff will continue curriculum planning and return with budget details to the finance committee; the presenter asked the board to support staff who pursue needed credentials so classes can continue.
