The Hudson School District Board heard proposals for two new high-school courses on Tuesday: a Unified Physical Education option designed to combine adapted physical education students with general PE students in the same classroom, and HRPN News 2, an advanced video-production course that would expand students’ technical and leadership roles in school media.

Why it matters: both proposals are part of the district’s regular curriculum-improvement cycle and, if approved by the board, would allow students to register by November and enable teachers to develop full curriculum and assessments over the coming months.

Unified Physical Education

Tom Johnston, identified as an instructional coach and curriculum specialist at the high school, described a model where about half the class would be students with individualized education programs (IEPs) who currently receive adapted PE minutes and the other half would be general-education students. “We’re kind of bringing that together in a more inclusive model to bring all the students into one setting,” Johnston said, describing the proposal as aligned with district values of collaboration and inclusion. Carly Langer, identified in the meeting as an adapted PE teacher, toured a neighboring district implementing the model and helped write the proposal.

Board members voiced support during the discussion. Board member Megan said, “I love it. I think this sounds awesome.” The presenters said no additional equipment or funding is needed; funding for adaptive supports is already in place.

HRPN News 2 — advanced production

Leslie Klaskachik, the district’s school-to-career coordinator, walked trustees through a proposed advanced video-production class (HRPN News 2). The course would build on a level-1 offering and emphasize advanced audio and video techniques (directional mics, parabolic microphones, three-point lighting), advanced editing software purchased with a STAR grant, and student leadership roles (director, technical director, audio director, chief editor).

Instructor Dan Wyland, who teaches the level-1 course and secured the STAR grant, plans for students to produce more sophisticated broadcast packages – A and B roll, graphics, music, and integrated sound – and to train students to direct peers in a production setting. The proposal also envisions stacking level-1 and level-2 offerings concurrently.

Context and next steps

Shannon (curriculum staff) explained that teachers submit course proposals during “phase 2” of the curriculum-improvement process in May, the district and building leaders review them, and the board’s approval allows teachers to write full curriculum so students can register in November. No formal vote on these proposals was recorded at the meeting; presenters said approved proposals will move into curriculum writing and scheduling.

Board members asked practical questions about equipment and acknowledged community support for teacher-led innovation. “The STAR grant gave us that additional video editing software,” Leslie said, and Klaskachik added that some Perkins and CTE funds also support the studio. Board members expressed enthusiasm for student leadership and career-oriented learning in both proposals.

Ending

Administrators said the proposals will move forward through the district’s curriculum process and that staff will return with finalized materials and scheduling recommendations for board consideration later this fall.