Board delays health‑curriculum adoption; asks administration for Oct. 1 report on independent adoption options
Summary
After debate, the board directed the superintendent to research costs and timelines for an independent adoption of health instructional materials and report back Oct. 1. The board clarified it is not asking the district to write a curriculum from scratch but to outline options and resource needs.
The Grants Pass School District 7 board directed the superintendent to report back on Oct. 1 with a research brief on the cost and projected timeline to implement an independent adoption of health instructional materials consistent with applicable OAR procedures. The direction followed extended discussion about whether to select state‑approved materials, pursue an independent publisher adoption, or consider a locally created curriculum.
District staff explained the usual state adoption process: publishers submit materials to state review panels, teachers pilot recommended programs, and districts provide a 30‑day community review before adoption. Trish (administration) said the district will postpone the elementary health adoption, expect to return to the parent advisory council and board in the spring, and estimated a 7‑year total cost of about $200,000 for elementary materials (seven‑year usage) and roughly $100,000 for the secondary independent adoption cited by staff.
Board members debated scope. Some asked whether the superintendent’s Oct. 1 report should simply outline the administrative steps and estimated staff time and costs for pursuing an independent adoption. Others said the board had discussed broader options — including whether district staff could develop curriculum internally — and asked for a continuum of scenarios (using a state‑approved resource, adopting an independent publisher resource, or commissioning locally‑developed materials), with estimated timelines, staffing and costs for each option.
Board members also sought assurance that any independent adoption would include analysis of expected instructional impact and alignment with the district’s strategic goals. Administration said it would bring back clarifying information in September and a formal report on Oct. 1.
