District staff presented early‑literacy and assessment data showing largely flat results over multiple years and recommended changes to core instructional tools. The board voted to approve an I‑Ready contract that district staff said would replace Achieve3000 at middle school and a CKLA Boost product in fourth and fifth grades; staff described the purchase as a cost‑saving and diagnostic improvement.

At the meeting, administrators said the district cannot yet publicly release full 2024–25 state data but shared early literacy (DIBELS/MClass) results and district trends indicating declines in early‑literacy indicators relative to the state. A staff presenter said the district had asked a DPI MTSS specialist to consult on improving fidelity of core instruction and that administrators and teachers would participate in strategic planning sessions (the district invited the board to a July 29 strategic planning session at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teachers).

Katrina, a district curriculum staffer, described the proposed software changes: middle school grades 6–8 will move from Achieve3000 to I‑Ready reading for its diagnostic capacity; fourth and fifth grades will move from CKLA Boost to I‑Ready; the district will pilot IXL for math diagnostics. Administrators said they will monitor fidelity of instruction and suggested focusing on two or three top priorities rather than attempting to address all issues at once.

The board approved the I‑Ready quote by voice vote; the presenters indicated the combined contract figures discussed totaled roughly in the tens of thousands (the presenter and board referenced figures near $60,000–$80,000 for combined elements, with some transcript references to roughly $60,000 and / or $80,000). Achieve3000 and Boost will be discontinued where replaced by I‑Ready, staff said.

Why it matters: Changes in curriculum and assessment products, and an emphasis on improving fidelity of core instruction, directly affect classroom instruction, teacher professional development and district budget allocations.

Next steps: Staff will continue convening teachers and administrators for strategic planning, implement DPI MTSS recommendations, provide more detailed data once state releases are official and return to the board in August with implementation steps.