A major highlight of the meeting was the proposal for a new construction course, “A Tour Through the Trades,” designed to introduce students to various building trades such as plumbing, electrical work, HVAC, masonry, tiling, and carpentry. Led by a teacher from the career and technical education department, the presentation detailed the course structure and its focus on hands-on learning experiences. The course aims to furnish students with foundational skills for the construction industry, including interpreting technical drawings and safely handling electrical components. Modern technologies like virtual reality simulations will be incorporated to allow students to practice skills in a safe, controlled environment. Additionally, field trips to local job sites and guest speakers from the industry are planned to give students real-world exposure and networking opportunities.

A working group identified that many of these students desired more vocational training opportunities, leading to the development of this course as a budget-neutral solution by reallocating resources from the existing woodworking program. The committee members raised questions about the course’s accessibility, ensuring it is open to all interested students, not just those identified as at-risk.

Another topic was the proposal to reinstate a Contemporary U.S. History course for seniors, covering events from the Cold War era to the present. The course is intended to engage students in discussions about contemporary issues, offering a flexible curriculum that allows seniors to select topics of interest, such as the events surrounding 9/11. This proposal seeks to fill a gap left by the absence of a dedicated history class for seniors, despite their robust historical education in earlier grades. The committee recognized the importance of this course in addressing student interest in contemporary issues and fostering historical literacy.

The committee also considered the introduction of an interdisciplinary course, “Justice in Action,” blending English and social studies. This course, developed by teachers specializing in legal studies and film and fiction, will explore criminal justice through case studies of high-profile trials. The course aims to offer students job shadowing and internship opportunities in the third quarter, leveraging established connections with legal professionals. While concerns were discussed regarding supervision during job shadowing, the course presents a unique opportunity for students to engage with the justice system practically.

Additionally, the meeting addressed a proposed Advanced Placement (AP) course within the English department, which sparked diverse opinions among committee members. Despite strong advocacy from parents and students, resistance from some faculty members and parts of the administration led to the decision that more time was needed to build consensus before introducing the course. The committee acknowledged the value of the course and the necessity for further dialogue to address faculty hesitations.

The committee’s discussions also touched upon dual enrollment opportunities with Mass Bay Community College, offering students a chance to earn college credit at no cost. This initiative is still in exploratory stages, with potential solutions for student access including on-campus classes at the high school or public transport options. Enthusiasm was expressed for the possibility of Mass Bay offering classes at the high school, with transportation logistics via the green line being considered.