The Grand Forks School Board is considering the addition of seven new high school courses for the 2026-2027 academic year, while proposing to eliminate one existing class. Discussions during the board meeting on November 24, 2023, raised questions about whether these changes align with the district’s financial objectives.
During the meeting, board members reviewed recommendations from the district’s Secondary Curriculum Review Committee. The committee suggested adding courses such as Drumline, Exploring Health Careers, Advanced Manufacturing I and II, Dual Credit Anatomy and Physiology A&B, along with Spanish for Native/Heritage Speakers I and II. In contrast, the committee recommended removing the Robotics class, asserting that the Advanced Manufacturing I course would adequately fill the educational gap.
Superintendent Terry Brenner presented the recommendations, highlighting that the proposed additions would not incur extra costs. “There’s no additional cost to any of these courses being added, no additional cost for staffing,” Brenner stated, noting that existing staff would manage the new classes.
Budgetary Concerns and Course Viability
The Secondary Curriculum Review Committee convenes annually to evaluate course proposals, focusing on optimizing educational resources for students. Factors considered include the current number of electives, potential for expanding learning pathways, compliance with state standards, and existing content offerings.
Despite the assurances of cost neutrality, board members expressed reservations. Jay Kleven, Amber Flynn, and Sherry Houdek questioned how the district could add seven courses without additional staffing or resource expenditures. Houdek specifically inquired about teacher qualifications, classroom space, and the implications for future course offerings.
“Do we have teachers that are qualified to teach these courses?” Houdek asked. “And if no new teacher needs to be added, does that mean that we currently have teachers who are not teaching a full load?”
While she acknowledged the value of new course offerings, Houdek requested further details on logistical and budgetary implications. “I applaud this, but I’m still concerned about the budget and where we’re at with it right now,” she remarked.
Aligning Recommendations with Budget Goals
School Board President Dave Berger inquired whether the committee’s recommendations took the district’s broader financial goals into account. Brenner responded, indicating that Catherine Gillach, the associate superintendent and chair of the Curriculum Review Committee, had assured that all additions would be cost neutral. However, Brenner raised concerns about whether a focus on cost neutrality is sufficient given the district’s current fiscal challenges.
“I think the question within the question is, shouldn’t we be looking at some reductions rather than something even being cost neutral?” Brenner stated, highlighting the need for a careful examination of the district’s financial strategies.
No formal decision was reached during the meeting, but the proposed curriculum changes will be discussed further and are expected to be included in the agenda for the next School Board meeting. The outcomes of these discussions could significantly influence the educational landscape in Grand Forks as the district navigates its budgetary priorities while striving to enhance student learning opportunities.
