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Board moves forward with program‑of‑studies changes: accounting, advanced CAD and expanded aviation track
Summary
Administrators presented several new full‑year, 5‑credit electives (accounting, advanced CAD/design studio, and a third‑year aviation course) and a proposed one‑time math waiver and 0‑period pass/fail option; the board approved program‑of‑studies items as recorded in the motions.
Mountain Lakes school administrators outlined changes to the high school program of studies that the board reviewed and approved during Tuesday’s meeting.
Administrators described several new full‑year, five‑credit courses: Accounting (a college‑prep, full‑year course for grades 10–12 with Introduction to Business as a prerequisite); Advanced CAD and Design Studio (an honors level, third‑year engineering elective that satisfies a 21st‑century careers credit); and Principles of Flight Planning and Joint Operations (a year‑long, third‑year aviation course continuing the district’s AOPA‑supported aviation pathway). The presenters said the aviation sequence prepares students for pilot‑license or unmanned aircraft system exams if they complete the multi‑year pathway.
The board was also briefed on a proposed one‑time waiver process to allow students to request placement into a higher level of mathematics (for example, moving from college‑prep to honors) outside the standard placement exam. Administrators said eligibility criteria would include a semester GPA and consultation with parents, counselors and teachers; the waiver would be managed through an online (Google) form with explicit acknowledgement checkpoints. Officials emphasized this is an additional pathway, not a universal replacement for placement exams.
A separate change adds a pass/fail option for certain 0‑period courses: students who earn a final grade of A or A+ in a qualifying 0‑period class may elect a pass/fail grading option. Presenters also noted two courses (Journalism in the Digital Age and Online Economics) would be removed from the current program of studies.
Board members discussed implementation details, parent notification and how the waiver process would coordinate with RBS and Briarcliff placements. The motions to approve the program‑of‑studies items and related personnel/motions were put to roll‑call vote and carried as recorded in the meeting minutes.
