Meeting Summary and Briefs: Beecher Board of Education Curriculum Committee for Dec. 2025

Beecher Board of Education Curriculum Committee Meeting | Dec. 2025

Overall Meeting Summary
The Beecher Board of Education Curriculum Committee met on Thursday, December 4, 2025, to review the district’s curriculum adoption cycle and address academic policies. Administrators outlined a timeline to improved transparency, promising to have full curriculum maps online by February 2025. The committee engaged in detailed discussions regarding the high school’s weighted grading scale, foreign language requirements for the class of 2032, and parental concerns regarding student placement and labeling in elementary math programs. The meeting concluded with an update on Artificial Intelligence (AI) policies and the decision not to hire a dedicated Curriculum Director at this time.

AI Policy and Cheating Prevention
The district is developing a policy regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI) in alignment with PRESS Plus 120 updates. Currently, AI is not taught as part of the student curriculum. The district maintains a strict stance against using AI for cheating, with teachers returning to “pen and paper” assignments if necessary. A professional development session is scheduled for March 25 to train staff on using AI as a teaching tool and understanding cybersecurity risks. Administrators noted that detection tools like Turnitin.com are becoming “completely wasteless” against advanced AI, necessitating in-class writing assessments.

Curriculum Director Role Discussed
Committee members asked if the district requires a dedicated Curriculum Director to oversee alignment and consistency across buildings. Administrators acknowledged that while having a dedicated person would be “awesome” and helpful for tasks like contacting reps and ensuring consistency, the current system of administrative teams and teacher leadership is working well.

Curriculum Cycle Update
The Superintendent reviewed the curriculum adoption rotation established in 2018. It was noted that Social Studies was up for review last year, but the department opted to stick with their current resources. Elementary and Junior High recently adopted new ELA materials. The district involves teachers heavily in the selection process, often piloting programs before adoption.

Dual Credit Expansion
The district is actively looking to expand dual credit opportunities. Kankakee Community College (KCC) is adding new options, and the district is in contact with Governors State University regarding potential dual credit teacher education courses, similar to a program offered by Prairie State College.