Yvette V. Birkholz

The committee discussed updates to the Career and Technical Education (CTE) curriculum, specifically focusing on Business Management and Administration. They also reviewed extensive updates for the K-12 Social Studies curriculum, including shifts in semester requirements for U.S. History, World History, and Wars and Conflicts courses to better align with educational standards. The committee evaluated various textbook and material options from multiple publishers and discussed strategies for gathering teacher and public feedback on these resources to support the district's goals.

The committee reviewed updates on Career & Technical Education (CTE) curriculum development, including industry standard alignment and the potential for new course offerings. Discussions also covered social studies graduation requirements, specifically the structure of U.S. History and World History courses in terms of semester duration. Additionally, the committee addressed the material review and selection process for social studies, potential budget constraints impacting resource procurement, and logistics for ensuring materials are available for the upcoming school year.

This document outlines the curriculum for the re-introduced Career and Technical Education (CTE) cluster for Business Management & Administration within the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. It details a pathway including foundational, primary, and capstone courses such as Introduction to Business, Student Business Enterprise, Accounting, Business Communications, Business and Legal Concepts, and AP Business with Personal Finance. The curriculum integrates Alaska Cultural, Science, Math, ELA, Specific Technical Skills, and Employability Standards. The program aims to prepare students for postsecondary education, industry credentials, and careers in entrepreneurship, business management, and related fields.

The committee discussed Career and Technical Education (CTE) enrollment trends, noting transportation barriers and staffing challenges. Key program updates included the implementation of agriculture classes, progress on cosmetology curriculum, and the receipt of a planning grant for skilled trades funding. The meeting addressed the importance of industry certifications and program alignment with workforce needs, such as driver's license requirements and specific job skill shortages reported by industry partners. Additional topics included student internship and work-based learning opportunities, upcoming strategic priorities regarding Perkins V funding, facility equipment needs, scheduling adjustments at Hutchison High School, and the development of local employer partnerships.

The committee focused on finalizing a memorandum to the School Board regarding budget priorities. The primary discussion centered on Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) as the top budget priority, leading to a consensus to reframe the budget memo to establish the ideal PTR as the baseline starting point for budget cycles. Other key investment priorities discussed included reducing PTR (costing approximately $3 million for specific ratios), investing in Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes, and implementing before/after school care options. Discussions also covered concerns regarding instructional time lost to supporting music programs, the need for increased tutoring support, particularly in non-Title I schools, and a request for the board to thoroughly evaluate the impact before making decisions regarding the potential closure of satellite stations or relocation of the Star of the North program.