Putnam schools present recommended instructional materials for math, reading and a new financial-literacy course; 20-day public review opens

Putnam County School District staff presented the instructional materials committee’s final recommendations for three adoption areas — K–2 reading intervention, K–4 mathematics intervention and a new half-credit personal financial literacy course — and said a 20‑day public feedback period opens after the meeting.

The presentations, delivered by Jen Azula, a district staff member serving as the materials presenter, detailed the review committee’s primary and alternate choices, evidence ratings and implementation considerations. “At the conclusion of today’s meeting, we will open up a 20 day feedback window,” Azula said. She added: “The next time I come before you, which will be April 15, at that meeting, you will vote on the plan.”

Why it matters: the board must adopt core and intervention materials that teachers will use across schools. Azula said the review committee included classroom teachers, family representatives, interventionists, coaches and a former principal and that the committee prioritized programs aligned to Florida standards and current district resources.

Math intervention: the committee’s primary recommendation for K–4 math intervention was a program listed by the presenter as Ready Florida Best Mathematics (Curriculum Associates was discussed as a vendor). Azula told the board the program carries an ESSA Tier 2 rating and was favored because it combined teacher-led materials, student workbooks and a digital student experience and aligned closely to Florida standards and the district’s core math materials.

Reading intervention: for K–2 reading intervention the committee recommended a program identified in the presentation as Magnetic Reading Foundations (Curriculum Associates). Azula said reviewers liked that the program targeted the foundational skills (phonemic awareness, phonics and decoding) required for early grades, provided placement guidance down to isolated skills, and received strong third‑party ratings on science‑of‑reading criteria.

Personal financial literacy: the district recommended McGraw‑Hill’s Personal Financial Literacy as the primary choice for the new half‑credit course aimed at juniors. Azula said reviewers favored the mix of print and digital content, project‑based learning activities, and frequent formative assessments that can be used for different student needs.

Public review and next steps: Azula walked the board through where to find the public review links, usernames and passwords on the district website and said the 20‑day feedback window runs March 26 through April 14. She emphasized the public survey collects names and emails to verify respondents are district residents, parents or staff. The board will vote on adopting materials at its April 15 meeting, Azula said.

District staff and the review team stressed that adoption covers the major tool only (not ancillary paid add‑ons) and that training and implementation plans will follow if the board approves the recommendations.

Azula and staff provided sample schedules for summer and pre‑planning professional development and said further implementation details will be refined after the board’s April 15 decision.