WJCC plans textbook adoptions for 2025–26; elementary science and social studies prioritized, estimated cost $667,225

Curriculum and instruction staff presented a plan to select and adopt new textbooks in 2025–26 that prioritizes elementary science and social studies and several secondary courses, and estimated the total cost at about $667,225 based on preliminary vendor quotes.

Robin Ford and a colleague, identified in the meeting as curriculum department staff, said the division chose the content areas based on recent and compressed revisions to the Virginia Standards of Learning and the age of current materials. The proposal recommended elementary science and social studies materials this year, continuing an elementary-focused cycle that WJCC began in prior years, and recommended secondary reviews for English language arts, mathematics, science and social studies distributed across the school year.

Staff described a two-phase review process: phase 1 forms a review committee (administrators, curriculum staff, teachers, specialists, parents and community members) that reviews vendors’ materials, hosts public review periods and an evening textbook fair; phase 2 distributes print materials to schools for teacher review, provides support from curriculum leaders, and concludes with a final recommendation by the committee for the board to approve or reject.

Ford said textbooks under consideration will be evaluated for alignment to the current standards of learning, quality and utility of teacher and student resources, supports for intervention and extension, assessment components and digital tools. She said the division will publish digital access to materials and community rubrics on its website and make print copies available at the central office during business hours.

The estimated total cost for the textbook plan, based on preliminary vendor quotes, is $667,225. Board members asked how many school board members would serve on each review committee; Ford said committees historically have used four to six members and that members sometimes serve across levels.

Why this matters: Textbook adoption is a cyclical, high-dollar activity with classroom impact; administrators said a dedicated textbook fund would reduce reliance on salary savings to cover large adoption cycles.

What’s next: Staff will form review committees, post materials for public feedback, collect community evaluation rubrics and return a committee recommendation for board action later in the year.