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Board approves Moscow Middle School elective after student presentation
Summary
After a student-led presentation, the Moscow School District board on March 25 approved a new middle-school elective, Community Connections, converting the Library Advisory club into a for-credit class focused on community projects, podcasting and leadership.
The Moscow School District Board of Trustees voted March 25 to approve the Moscow Middle School elective "Community Connections," a conversion of the after-school Library Advisory club into a for-credit class intended to expand student leadership, community partnerships and hands-on projects.
Students who led the proposal described the class as an expansion of the current club, emphasizing podcast production, community-based projects and leadership skills. "Library advisory is more than a club," said Jen, a Library Advisory presenter, arguing that turning the activity into a class would give students more time and stability to complete larger projects such as National History Day entries and community podcasts produced with University of Idaho partners.
Student presenters said the group already coordinates community work: they cited a penny-drive fundraiser that raised $1,700 and the creation of a small food pantry in the school library for students in need. Curriculum director Carrie told the board she will bring the formal course proposal forward for the board’s consideration; later in the meeting the board adopted the course as presented.
The board moved and seconded the recommendation and approved the course by unanimous vote, 5-0. Board members praised the students’ presentation and noted the potential for the class to strengthen ties between the middle school and the high school and to give students applied experience in areas such as grant writing, podcast production and civic engagement.
The course will be offered as an elective; the district noted enrollment will be managed so the class remains small and project-focused. The board did not specify start-of-term details during the vote; curriculum staff will finalize implementation steps and scheduling.
The approval follows a months-long local planning process; the board packet and the curriculum director’s forthcoming materials will provide further detail on staffing, credit assignment and any application or selection process for students.
