GLADSTONE – Computer science courses may soon become a part of the curriculum at Gladstone schools.

The Gladstone School Board discussed the district’s future during the board’s regular meeting Monday night. Reviewing the Gladstone Curriculum and Personnel Committee’s recent meeting, Board Treasurer Linda Howlett said the group discussed adding computer science courses to the district’s curriculum.

“It’s something that really is very creative – gives the kids an opportunity to just really get creative and really get into some cutting-edge computer stuff,” she said.

Superintendent Jay Kulbertis said the goal of this initiative is to encourage interest in computer science among Gladstone’s students.

“We’re looking at building a space that will support that in…Jones (Elementary School), building a classroom that will support that at the junior high, and adding that kind of STEM approach up at the high school,” Kulbertis said.

According to Kulbertis, these programs could eventually lead to students building an official app for Gladstone’s schools.

“I’m sure it’ll be much more user-friendly than just trying to navigate our website on your smartphone,” he said.

Though the details surrounding the initiative have not been finalized, Kulbertis said he is confident computer science programs will be implemented at Gladstone schools in the near future.

“We’re not there yet, but I have no doubt that we’ll get there sooner rather than later,” Kulbertis said.

The Curriculum and Personnel Committee also discussed building capacity issues during its meeting. Currently, the Gladstone School District is in the midst of an increase in students. If this trend continues through the fall of 2016, it could create some problems for the district.

“Our enrollment is growing, so we have some space issues in some of our buildings – depending, of course, on where enrollment goes in the fall,” Howlett said.

To help counteract possible space issues, Howlett said the committee looked at adding a second-grade class at Cameron Elementary next year and adding part-time positions or hours for existing employees at Gladstone Area High School.

“We’re already starting to plan for what we can do if we do have space issues,” she said.

Due to this student body growth and the impending retirement of High School Athletic Director and Junior High Director of Student Services Matt Houle, the committee also discussed the possibility of adding administrative positions at the junior high and high school.

“We need to beef our administrative team back up, and we’re looking at being able to afford to do so,” she said.

In other business, the board:

– accepted a letter of intent to retire from Patti Nyberg and letters of resignation from High School Quiz Bowl Advisor and Youth in Government Advisor Erika Fix, JV Volleyball Coach Alexandra Fowler, and Varsity Girls Basketball Coach Karl Dollhopf. They also accepted a letter rescinding intent to retire from Maintenance Director Harold Flagstadt.

– approved Robert Flaminio as Gladstone’s new High School Quiz Bowl advisor.

– changed the time of next month’s board meeting to 6 p.m.