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Board approves secondary science materials after multi-month review; one member abstains
Summary
After extended committee vetting, the board approved a set of middle- and high-school science materials and electives; the vote was 4-0 with one abstention.
The Rio Rancho Public Schools Board approved a package of secondary science instructional materials recommended by teacher committees after multi-session review. The package covers middle school (grades 6through 8) and a range of high-school courses including biology, chemistry, physics, integrated ninth-grade curriculum and several electives and AP materials.
What the committees chose Stephanie Moore, executive director of secondary curriculum and instruction, told the board that different content areas favored different publishers based on teacher voting and content fit: - Middle school (grades 6through 8): Twig (Imagine Learning) was recommended for its hands-on and consumable materials. - Ninth-grade integrated science: BioZone (publisher from New Zealand) recommended for an integrated approach. - Biology: Readoption of HMH. - Chemistry: Savvas (new consumable texts and resources). - Electives and AP courses: a mix of McGraw Hill, Cengage, BioZone and Savvas.
Moore noted that some secondary materials will be delivered as consumable textbooks with digital components and that teachers will still receive hands-on kits and lab materials as appropriate.
Vote and board discussion Board member Jessica Tyler moved to approve the recommendations and the motion was seconded; the roll-call vote was: Vice President Jeffrey Morgan, yes; Jessica Tyler, yes; Jerry Tripp, abstain; Beth Miller, yes; President Galbraith, yes. The motion passed with four yes votes and one abstention.
Clarifying details - Moore and staff said the package was estimated at about $2.2 million for required refills, consumables and digital/curriculum access across secondary levels; that figure was described as a corrected total in the meeting presentation. - The middle-school recommendation met the stateCLR (culturally and linguistically responsive) expectations; high-school materials may need district supplements to meet CLR elements where state-approved materials lacked them.
Ending The board thanked teachers and curriculum staff for the intensive review. The curriculum department will plan procurement, professional development and any supplemental CLR supports where the materials require additional local content.
