Board approves two new tech pathway courses, including college‑credit option

The Old Saybrook Board of Education approved two new technology‑education course proposals at its Jan. 28 meeting designed to expand the district’s CTE pathway and provide an optional college‑credit experience.

Nick Sagel, a district tech teacher, introduced "Exploring Technology and Engineering," an exploratory semester course (half credit) intended to act as a pathway entry point for ninth‑grade students. Cliff Taylor described "Electrical Applications for STEM," an advanced, full‑credit course that the presenters said is aligned with Central Connecticut State University syllabi and would allow students to earn three concurrent college credits.

Sagel said the program culminates in community‑facing, project‑based work such as the 'Go Baby Go' Power Wheels retrofit, where students adapt mobility vehicles for children with special needs. The presenters said both courses are complete and ready for the next school year, pending teacher application approvals and final scheduling.

Board members approved each course in separate motions. The exploratory course is intended as a recommended prerequisite to strengthen the pathway and scheduling; the advanced STEM course would replace the current Digital Electronics curriculum and was described as more attractive for student engagement.

Next steps: District staff will complete the teacher application and Central Connecticut State University paperwork for the concurrent‑credit offering and monitor enrollment during the February course registration period.

(Attributions to Nick Sagel and Cliff Taylor come from presenters' self‑introductions and statements in the meeting transcript.)