Board approves renaming of course titles, adds sewing program with new lab

Danville CCSD 118 trustees approved a package of curriculum title changes and new course offerings intended to clarify pathways for students without changing course content.

The curriculum director said three departments (art, career and technical education, and physical education) are reorganizing course titles to make them more understandable, and that some year‑long classes will be restructured into semester sections. The board approved recommended course title changes and new offerings, including painting techniques 1 and 2, 2D art techniques 1 and 2, sewing 1–3, fabric manipulation, computer science principles and introduction to 3D computer modeling.

Melissa Greenhall, representing CTE/art instruction, said sewing is a new high school program this year and described a new sewing lab equipped with eight industrial sewing machines. Board members praised the expansion as providing non‑college pathways and practical skills for students.

The motion to approve the curriculum recommendations passed by roll call. Staff said scope and sequence documents will be provided in July and that a slide presentation of student artwork and award winners was displayed during the meeting.

Why it matters: The changes are intended to improve clarity of student course choices and expand career and technical options; adding sewing and other hands‑on courses is part of a longer effort to broaden post‑graduation pathways.

Next steps: Staff will return with scope and sequence documents and continued presentation of student work.