Bedford High School Principal Bill Hagen, along with four other high school representatives, spoke to members of the Bedford School Board Monday, Nov. 26, to discuss changes in the course catalogue.

They outlined plans to create additional prerequisites for several courses, and also talked about courses that could be removed or added.

Potential classes to be added to the curriculum were courses in journalism, philosophy and history of American music, Christina O’Hara, dean of students, said.

Journalism 2 intends to build upon Journalism 1, which is already offered, by introducing students to the production and business aspects of the industry.

The new philosophy course – added due to the popularity of the school’s only other philosophy class, the Theory of Knowledge – will focus on the foundations of philosophy.

Finally, a course on the history of American music will be offered. O’Hara said this arose, partly, to encourage students who do not typically participate in music an avenue into the subject.

Courses that will no longer be available include Origins of Western Civilization, World Languages 1A and an honors chemistry class. These courses were all deemed unnecessary due to lack of interest or other options being available.

The school is also “actively pursuing” courses that could get students college credit while they are still in high school.

In addition to the change in courses, representatives of the high school introduced the idea of digital report cards to the board.

The plan to replace paper report cards with online copies is set for late March or early April, Assistant Superintendant Chip McGee said.

The online report cards will be accessible through PowerSchool, but a parent can still request a tradtional, paper copy if they want one.

Board member Terry Wolf said she believes parents will like the online-accessible report cards.