The William S. Hart Union High School District board of trustees is set to approve a candidate as principal of Valencia High School, revise the school curriculum and discuss an update to the student-achievement plan during Wednesday’s board meeting.
The board is recommended to approve a candidate for the position of principal at Valencia High School after former principal Steve Ford stepped down from the position before the start of the 2020-21 school year, according to the board meeting agenda.
The position has been temporarily filled by Pete Getz, former director of student services for the Hart District. He’s expected to be named as principal during this week’s meeting.
The board is also set to approve a list of new courses that will be implemented into school curriculum beginning this school year.
The courses include:
- Foundations in education in the career and technical education department, a two-semester course offered to students grades 9-12.
- Functional reading in the special education department, a two-semester literacy course offered to students in grades 9-12.
- A new two-semester physical education course offered to incoming freshmen, who will have the opportunity to participate in team sports, aquatics/swimming or rhythm and dance.
- Another physical education course offered to students grades 10-12 and will include dual sports, self-defense and gymnastics and tumbling.
- Transitional English in the special education department, a two-semester course designed to help students complete English requirements.
- Transitional math in the special education department, a two-semester course designed to help students complete math requirements.
- A STEM lab in the practical arts department offered to students in grades 11-12 at Bowman Continuation High School. This course will introduce students to high-demand careers in the STEM field that relate to construction technology, electrical or plumbing.
- A second STEM Lab for students grades 11-12 at Bowman Continuation High School that will introduce students to medical imaging, nursing, pharmacology or emergency medical technology.
- A third STEM Lab for students grades 11-12 at Bowman Continuation High School that will introduce students to manufacturing technology or robotics and automation.
The Student Plan For Student Achievement will be updated during the board meeting, and the board is set to vote to approve the update.
The update includes the hiring of an additional school counselor for a full-time position.
“To increase student involvement and communication in a positive school culture, our school goal aligns with our district’s LCAP Goal 4 to cultivate a safe and positive school culture that supports all students’ personal and academic growth and encourages parent engagement,” as said in the agenda.
The counselor will work in school wellness centers and will assist with mental well-being of students.
The salary of the counselor will be paid through rollover funds from the 2019-20 SPSA that were reallocated to the 2020-21 fund and will total $78,037.
The board meeting will be virtual via YouTube on Oct. 21. Those who wish to watch can find links on the district’s agenda website at https://williamshart.agendaonline.net/public/.
