At the forefront of this meeting was the board’s approval of significant curriculum changes, including a complete rewrite of 20 K-12 courses. These updates spanned several subjects, such as social studies, math, ESL, arts, and computers, with a focus on modernizing content and teaching methods. In particular, existing courses were restructured to align with contemporary educational needs. The course formerly known as Computer 6 was replaced by one emphasizing internet safety and digital citizenship, while Computer 7 transitioned to a focus on navigating the digital world. Another course, previously called 21st-century careers, was rebranded as personal finance and career readiness, covering essential skills like money management and career exploration. Media arts also underwent a transformation, becoming future makers, business and design, to focus on business concepts and marketing.

In addition to curriculum changes, the board welcomed 15 new staff members set to join for the upcoming school year. These new hires will participate in orientation sessions scheduled for August 25 and 26, with the official start dates for staff being September 2 and 3, and students returning on September 4. An introductory letter outlining these details, along with meet-and-greet opportunities, will be sent to parents.

The meeting also saw the unanimous approval of a series of resolutions. Notably, resolutions CI1 through CI27 related to curriculum and instruction received strong support, as did personnel resolutions P1 through P33, which included the approval of a summer college boot camp. The finance and administration committee also presented resolutions F1 to F4, which were passed without opposition.

Community engagement was another focal point of the meeting, with an emphasis on the importance of participation in local Parent-Teacher Organizations and the Community Parent Advisory Committee. The board encouraged broader involvement in these groups, particularly for upcoming events like the color run. The first CPAC meeting for the new school year was announced to take place via Zoom, offering a platform for discussing preparations and fostering community support.

Despite the meeting’s agenda being packed with informative updates and approvals, there were no public comments made during the session. The board members took the opportunity to share positive reflections on recent events, such as the leadership camp that welcomed approximately 107 incoming sixth graders. The camp was praised for building confidence and connections among students, thanks in part to the collaboration between school staff, student leaders, and local authorities.

Before concluding, the board members expressed their appreciation for the dedication of the Hawthorne staff, acknowledging their efforts in preparing for the new school year. The meeting ended on a light-hearted note, with a humorous reference to a video that helped a member recall the superintendent’s name by comparing it to a Minion character. The meeting adjourned following a motion that was seconded and passed unanimously.