Board approves K–5 math adoption, adds Bengali course; district to form 'portrait of a graduate' committee

The Hamtramck Board of Education voted to approve a three‑year subscription to a K–5 math curriculum and separately approved adding a Bengal class to the high school schedule. District curriculum staff also told the board they will form a “portrait of a graduate” committee to craft a shared vision for what a Hamtramck graduate should know and be able to do after K–12.

During reports, curriculum staff member Sean Shafford recognized the district’s instructional-coaching team and described their work on curriculum alignment, vertical articulation and summer professional development. Shafford named multiple coaches and said the coaches “got into classrooms, meeting with teachers and working with teachers, taking them through 6 week cycles.” He announced formation of a portrait-of-a-graduate committee led by Nan and Shaylin to include students, families, educators, school leaders and community members; the district aims to have the portrait ready by the start of the next school year.

Board action: The board approved the purchase described in the meeting as the "real math curriculum for grades K through 5" in a motion recording a purchase amount of $216,391.12 for a three‑year subscription, to be paid as stated in the resolution. The motion passed by voice vote (6 ayes, 1 absent). The board also approved "the addition of Bengal classes to the high school class schedule and curriculum" by voice vote (6 ayes, 1 absent).

Public comments later in the meeting raised questions about curriculum choices. A resident asked whether the district followed proper procedures when changing an earlier curriculum offering that some families had expected (the commenter said Arabic language instruction had been replaced by music); the district did not record a formal vote or explanation during public comment and staff did not provide a detailed procedural reply at the time.

Why it matters: Curriculum adoptions and course additions shape classroom instruction and student opportunities. The portrait-of-a-graduate work will guide future curriculum and instruction decisions districtwide.

What’s next: The district will recruit volunteers for the portrait-of-a-graduate committee and implement the newly approved K–5 math materials; staff will bring implementation details and schedules to the board as adoption proceeds.