After a year of committee review, the North Allegheny school board is expected to vote Wednesday night on an updated technology curriculum that includes several additions and improvements to the existing program.

Brian Miller, assistant superintendent for curriculum, said a committee led by technology education department chairwoman Ellen Green has been studying and reviewing the district's classes and equipment to make sure they meet state and national standards.

A few changes already have been implemented, the biggest of which was the addition this school year of an engineering and design course at North Allegheny Intermediate High School, Dr. Miller said at a school board work session last week.

The district offers 18 technology-related courses at the high school level, such as robotics and manufacturing, Dr. Miller said.

Other additions include the installation of several laser engravers and computer numerical controller routers, which allow students to program a computer so it can run a machine that will create products down to the most minute detail.

Certain technology-related courses are required of students in grades six through eight, Dr. Miller said. The high school classes are offered as electives.

Also at the work session, school board member Ralph Pagone said during his transportation report that four accidents involving district school buses have occurred over the past month.

The incidents involved a bus hitting a light pole; a construction vehicle losing a load of ladders that fell on a bus and several cars on Interstate 79; a truck that struck a the left rear side of a bus and a pole; and a car that drifted into the back of a bus while it was stopped at a traffic light.

During the previous month, three bus-related accidents occurred: a bus windshield was cracked when a passenger in an oncoming vehicle threw a full plastic water bottle at the bus; a bus was hit by someone backing out of a parking space; and a bus struck another district driver as he was walking to his bus. The driver was taken to a local hospital and was the only person injured in any of the incidents.

The board will hold its voting meeting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the district administration office.