Warren Township High School District 121 officials said on Nov. 11 they will continue to develop a freshman advisory curriculum with Big Picture Learning but will postpone decisions over whether the course would be a required full‑year period.

Superintendent Dr. Danny Wiesman told the board the priority is to “identify shared purpose and outcomes” before settling on structural details such as a full period versus shorter or optional formats. Wiesman said the district’s curriculum team and parent group will continue meeting through the spring and that the administration will provide periodic updates to the board.

Public commenters urged caution. Dan Curtis, a Woodland parent, said the Big Picture Learning model is designed as a multi‑year, opt‑in redesign and argued the district should not mandate a single, one‑size‑fits‑all freshman seminar. “Our mandatory proposal forces it on everyone,” Curtis said, urging the board to pause payments to the vendor until alternatives have been vetted.

Kelly McBlaine, a 20‑year educator and parent, praised the board for pausing the vote and pressed for transparency, saying curriculum materials and contracts tied to the advisory had already been purchased even though the district has not approved a required course. “The community and all stakeholders deserve a clear and open process,” McBlaine said.

Board members discussed program alternatives that could preserve student access to electives, including opt‑in models, delivery during lunch, short modules in study hall, summer offerings, or expanded dual‑enrollment options. Wiesman also noted a separate, related recommendation to increase the incoming class’s elective graduation requirement by 0.5 credit to support career pathways; he said that change would affect only next year’s incoming students and is not tied to the freshman advisory decision.

The board did not take a final vote on any advisory structure at the meeting. Members asked for clarity on credit impacts, PE waivers, and other scheduling implications and asked administrators to return with more information at future meetings.