Pembroke School Committee Approves AP Physics 1 Course Addition
District makes curriculum change due to staffing challenges, aims to maintain rigorous STEM offerings for college-bound students
PEMBROKE - August 5 - The Pembroke School Committee unanimously approved adding AP Physics 1 to the high school curriculum during its Aug. 5 meeting, replacing the previously offered AP Physics C course for the 2025-26 school year due to staffing limitations.
The change affects 13 students currently enrolled in AP Physics C. Superintendent Erin Obey plans to contact these students and their families to discuss the curriculum modification before the school year begins.
"We'd like to reach out to those 13 students and their families to let them know that AP physics C is not being offered, but we have AP physics 1, and kind of talk them through what the changes are," Obey said. "I would be surprised if any of them said, forget it, I don't want to take it."
The district posted the physics position for 19 days before implementing a hiring freeze, but received no applicants with AP Physics C certification or training. The current physics teacher has completed AP Physics 1 training this summer but did not have sufficient time to obtain certification for both courses.
Obey explained the key differences between the two courses. AP Physics 1 is algebra-based mathematics, while AP Physics C uses calculus-based mathematics. Despite this difference, the content coverage remains largely similar, with AP Physics 1 actually including an additional unit.
"There is not a huge difference between AP physics 1 and AP physics C as far as the content that's covered, except there is an additional unit in AP physics 1," Obey said.
The district researched how surrounding communities handle AP physics offerings. Norwell and Hingham offer AP Physics C, while Silver Lake and Duxbury offer AP Physics 1, creating roughly a 50-50 split among comparable districts.
Committee member Susan Bollinger expressed concerns about maintaining rigorous options for students planning STEM careers. "For kids that are going on to be STEM majors, I think that's really important. I really think that it's one of the things that differentiates Pembroke is that we offer something with this much rigor," she said.
The district plans to keep AP Physics C in the program of studies for future years when staffing allows. The current physics teacher could potentially obtain AP Physics C certification for subsequent school years.
Committee members discussed whether the algebra-based AP Physics 1 course might allow more students to enroll earlier in their high school careers, potentially during junior year rather than waiting until senior year when they take calculus concurrently.
"I do think over time, AP physics 1 will be a more popular option for students to take, because sometimes that calculus math is a limiting factor for students," Obey said.
The district maintains an open enrollment policy for AP courses and emphasizes that taking any AP class in high school better prepares students for college coursework, regardless of exam scores.
Assistant Superintendent Marybeth Brust noted the ongoing challenge of finding qualified physics teachers. "It's going to continue to be a challenge. There are not a lot of physicists out there that are choosing education," she said.
The committee also explored potential virtual learning options for students specifically seeking calculus-based physics, though Brust cautioned that science courses, particularly lab-based ones, present difficulties for online learning.
The committee heard a presentation from Ed Lee of Teaching Learning Alliance about the district's upcoming strategic planning process. The three-phase initiative will begin with community forums and surveys in the fall.
Lee outlined the comprehensive approach, which includes gathering input from parents, students, staff, community members and seniors. The process typically involves 20-30 committee members dedicating approximately 20 hours of volunteer service over five meetings.
"The better the work that you do at phase one, it's a matter of collecting data and ex post facto data and surveying people and talking to people," Lee said. "The second phase is building the plan. So you take the information that you've accumulated in phase one to inform phase two."
The strategic plan will serve as a guiding document for budget priorities and superintendent goals. Committee members will review a draft survey at their first September meeting.
The committee approved carrying over $4.27 million in encumbrances from fiscal year 2025 into fiscal year 2026, primarily for summer payrolls, special education tuitions and technology purchases.
A remaining balance of $44,067.58 will transfer to the district's special education stabilization fund rather than returning to the town.
The committee also approved declaring surplus materials from North Pembroke Elementary School, including outdated furniture, equipment and non-functioning clocks.
Superintendent Obey announced a public information session about joining South Shore Vocational Technical High School scheduled for Aug. 13 at 5:30 p.m. in room 102 at the community center.
The district continues developing a regional agreement draft for the fall town meeting vote. Additional information sessions will follow in September and October.
The negotiation subcommittee met July 31 and plans additional meetings this week and next week focusing on teacher and nurse contract working conditions. Obey expressed optimism about reaching agreement in the fall, though not by the first day of school.
The next school committee meeting is scheduled for Aug. 19 at 6 p.m., featuring principal updates and facilities project reports.