Canon-McMillan Moves Forward With New School

Canon-McMillan School Board members and administrators confirmed that excavation and construction for the new Wylandville Elementary School will officially begin next month once the Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection approves the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit application from the district. Director of Facilities and Transportation, Jurdon Maier, said that preparation work can still be done such as setting fencing and clearing foliage while waiting for the permit’s approval. Alongside the new elementary school, the high school refresh project is set to pick up again this summer. Maier noted that the ongoing renovations will include infrastructure updates aimed at improving the outdated building. Another project mentioned during the meeting was the installation of a new air conditioning system at Hills-Hendersonville Elementary School—a major improvement for the building, which previously lacked any air conditioning. The project, which began last summer, was completed recently, providing an upgrade for students and staff. The board also discussed new developments in curriculum, particularly in technology education. Dr. Ken Crowley, Assistant Superintendent for Grades 7–12, spoke about the district’s exploration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) courses for high school students.The district aims to equip students with foundational AI skills while maintaining a strong emphasis on teacher-led learning. In a shift aimed at minimizing classroom disruption, the Keystone Exams will now be administered in-person while students not taking the exams will learn asynchronously. This change condenses the testing schedule from six days to three, giving teachers more time for instruction.