During a recent school board meeting, significant discussions centered around proposed changes to graduation requirements and course offerings, particularly in mathematics, personal finance, world languages, and physical education.

Currently, students are required to complete two years of math, including Math 1, with personal finance available as an elective that can count towards this requirement. However, as personal finance is set to become a graduation requirement, the board acknowledged the need to explore alternative options for students who may not wish to pursue Math 2 and Math 3. This adjustment aims to ensure that all students have viable pathways to meet their graduation criteria.

The board also discussed the future of the French language program, which is concluding its French 2 offerings this year. There is a strong community interest in continuing French 3 as an in-person class, contingent on sufficient student enrollment. Additionally, a survey conducted among parents, staff, and students indicated a desire for a second language program, with sign language and Mandarin emerging as top contenders. The board plans to investigate hiring qualified instructors to support these potential offerings, ideally starting at the middle school level.

In terms of physical education, the board is considering allowing students who participate in two seasons of a CIF sport or one year of marching band to use these activities to fulfill their second-year PE requirement. This change could alleviate overcrowding in PE classes, which have seen high demand, with over 80 students turned away this year. Furthermore, a waiver process for PE 2 has been identified, allowing students who meet certain fitness standards to bypass this requirement.

The meeting also touched on the development of new course syllabi for ethnic studies and personal finance, with plans for community input and approval processes. The board emphasized the importance of aligning these courses with state standards while allowing for local adaptation.

Overall, the discussions highlighted a commitment to enhancing educational offerings and ensuring that graduation requirements remain relevant and accessible to all students. The board plans to continue refining these proposals and will seek further feedback from the community as they move forward.