Southern Columbia Area SD board reviews curriculum changes, accepts flight‑simulator donation and approves consent items

At its September meeting, the Southern Columbia Area SD school board heard several curriculum updates, discussed a donated Redbird flight simulator intended for classroom use, and approved routine consent items including minutes, fiscal blocks and multiple personnel items.

Dr. Kikas, speaking at the start of the meeting, said the district’s cyber program "officially kicked off" after Labor Day and reported enrollment figures: "we have 25 full‑time cyber with 14 students doing our cyber electives," and estimated a district total of about 35 cyber students. She also described ACT‑program submissions that now include ninth graders and said staff are preparing for an occupational advisory committee in October to secure required letters of support for career‑education approvals.

The board heard details about a donated Redbird flight simulator from a nonprofit partner; Mr Vicker said the donation includes a two‑year maintenance contract and a one‑year educational membership for the teacher. Board members and staff noted current aviation enrollment is small (about six students expressed interest) and that staffing — the district has one aviation teacher serving multiple roles this year — is the main barrier to expanding the program. Staff discussed options such as guest instructors, middle‑school exposure through unified arts or quarter‑year modules, and partnerships with nearby airports to build interest and pathways to higher‑level aviation coursework.

Dr. Kowski, representing the curriculum office, told the board the district will change AP‑test practice next year: students enrolled in AP courses will be required to sit for the AP exam and the district will cover exam costs. District staff framed the change as an effort to balance earning college credit with demonstrating AP proficiency.

Other operational updates included: rollout of new computer‑based diagnostic (CDT) assessments and scheduled teacher training (Sept. 18 for middle and high school cohorts and additional staff training Sept. 26); an ongoing new‑teacher induction focused on instructional strategies and classroom management; and committee reports that noted solar panels are installed at district facilities but the district is awaiting PPL for conduit/transformer installation and a cut‑over date, with staff projecting a connection by April–June 2025.

In routine business, the board moved and approved multiple consent items by voice. The minutes and treasurer’s report were approved; fiscal items A–F and multiple personnel blocks (A–S and T–B) were approved as blocks. The transcript records abstentions: Justin abstained on one invoices item and Cindy abstained on a personnel vote; the meeting used voice votes and the record does not list full roll‑call tallies for every consent item.

During public comment, a resident identified as Jill (given township) described a family airport event and urged the district to continue airport partnerships and to support the flight‑simulator program, suggesting short discovery flights for students as an engagement tool.

The board announced a brief executive session tonight to discuss litigation and safety/security matters and adjourned after completing the agenda.

What’s next: staff will bring follow‑up items on aviation staffing and training, the occupational advisory committee’s recommendations after October meetings, and a more detailed solar‑project timeline once PPL provides a cut‑over date.