That is, the Waterford Board of Education approved a Latin curriculum.
Jan Frazier, a world languages teacher at Waterford High School, petitioned the board to adopt her proposed changes in the Latin classes that have grown in popularity in recent years.
“The current curriculum is inadequate,” she said. “It lacks a certain rigor.”
Frazier took over the Latin program a year ago and adhered to the current Latin scheme that also included the cultural history of Rome.
Frazier said the new curriculum would put the emphasis back on learning the rote language, while scaling back the lessons in Roman history.
Frazier noted that Latin provides students who find spoken languages such as French or Spanish too difficult, a chance to fill their foreign language requirements.
The school also plans on introducing honors-level Latin classes to give those students an opportunity to raise their class ranks.
The board also approved the use of new textbooks, such as Latin Via Ovid, which employ classical literature as a mode of instruction.
Board member Kathleen McCarty praised the new curriculum, noting that the study of Latin helps students with the vocabulary portion of their SATs.
The changes in the curriculum will start in the fall semester.
In other news, the school board also revamped portions of its expulsion policies to bring them up to state standards.
The board sought to clarify some of the language in the policy for possible loopholes.
Donald Blevins, the board president, wanted to make sure students would not be punished for possession of pictures of nudes depicted in paintings.
The board also reviewed a new policy regarding the installation of security video cameras that monitor behavior on buses and on school grounds.
The board expects to vote on the matter at its next regular meeting on May 22.