District leaders reviewed the draft comprehensive plan and discussed implementation steps for a newly adopted reading program and other curriculum initiatives.

During the March 27 meeting, Curriculum Director Doctor Howard said the district has begun training teachers on a newly adopted reading program and that Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) is completing digital materials. Doctor Howard said the digital teacher resources are projected to be available in May and printed materials are scheduled for mid‑July; he said administrators hope to have content ready for end‑of-year professional development.

Board members pressed for measurable short-term results and clarity on professional development time. Several board members noted the comprehensive plan lists many challenges and asked how prior goals were carried forward; Doctor Howard and other administrators said the district is emphasizing classroom-level practices, walkthroughs and teacher feedback to support student learning rather than only high-level planning.

Board members also asked about expanding STEM electives and whether teacher training and compensation were in place before offering new courses. Doctor Howard said several teachers are already receiving training and are writing curricula for added courses; administrators said they are staging professional development so staff are not overwhelmed by concurrent new programs.

Public commenters raised concerns about past diagnostic programs and learning loss tied to them; one community speaker from Grenville, Pope Township urged quicker, verifiable results from new programs and questioned projected tax impacts. Administrators responded that some interventions show growth but acknowledged district-wide achievement targets remain a work in progress.

The board approved related curriculum consent items during the meeting and directed staff to continue aligning curriculum, professional development schedules and implementation timelines with the comprehensive plan goals.