Central Bucks students will have new options in cybersecurity, advanced math and programming when classes begin this week. The school board approved a batch of curriculum additions at its Aug. 27 meeting.
The board added AP Cybersecurity, Calculus 3 and Introduction to Python to the district's course catalog, along with three middle-school math courses and 13 STEM and STEAM electives spanning robotics, design and fabrication.
Brian Novick, a district math and computer science coordinator, presented the AP Cybersecurity, Calculus 3 and Python courses to the Education Committee on Aug. 6. Jon Taylor presented the STEAM suite at the same meeting. The full board's approval clears the courses for the new school year.
Kindergarten, sixth-, seventh-, ninth- and tenth-grade students start Monday, Aug. 31. All other students begin Tuesday, Sept. 1, according to PhillyBurbs.
$185,712 bequest for art and business programs
The board accepted a $185,712 bequest from the estate of George R. Parry, a Central Bucks High School graduate and former Bucks County resident. According to the board's meeting agenda, the district will form a committee to decide how to spend the funds, which are tied to Parry's interests in art and business activities.
No additional biographical details about Parry appear in district records.
CB South fire restoration: $438K approved
The board approved a $438,431.63 estimate from 1-800-Water-Damage for cleaning and restoration of classrooms damaged by a May 18 fire in room C133 at Central Bucks South High School in Warrington. The work breaks down to $152,411.70 for final cleaning and $286,019.93 for restoration.
The district's insurance carrier, Utica, reviewed and authorized the proposals. The cost will be reimbursed to the district, net of any applicable deductible. The agenda stated restoration was estimated to be completed by Aug. 15, ahead of the school year's opening.
Other actions
The board approved a $243,795 upgrade to the district-wide HVAC building automation system from Johnson Controls Inc. and a three-year, $40,000 musical instrument repair contract with Russo Music Center, Inc. Policies on bullying/cyberbullying and transportation were tabled for a first read.
Back to School Night for CB East, CB South and CB West is Wednesday, Sept. 9.
The next school board meeting is Thursday, Sept. 24.
