School board OKs kindergarten–1st-grade classical curriculum pilot at Pelican Island

Superintendent Dr. Moore asked the board to authorize a pilot of a classical-education curriculum for kindergarten and first grade at Pelican Island Classical Magnet School and the board approved the request 5-0. Nut graf: The board’s authorization allows the district to continue instruction using selected materials while staff completes legal sufficiency reviews under district policy and cited state statutory sections; the superintendent said parents will be notified immediately and the item will return to the board for formal adoption once it meets policy requirements. The superintendent read an amended description at the meeting that listed Singapore Math, Great Books, Explode the Code and added New American cursive penmanship and Story of the World as components of the pilot curriculum. Dr. Moore said the intent is to treat the instruction as a supplemental curriculum during the pilot while the formal adoption process proceeds “in accordance with policy 25 20 and section 1006.28 and 1006.283.” Board members asked about oversight and timeline. Miss Rosario said she has raised questions about curriculum timing for months and sought clarity on when the board would receive the formal adoption item. Dr. Moore said staff would begin parent notification the following morning and would “map out the required timelines, vetted for legal sufficiency,” and he expressed hope the item could be on the next board meeting agenda; he later indicated the minimum return would be in September. Dr. Dyer, who moved the motion, said demand for the program was high and that district staff had worked with the state commissioner’s office; Miss Rosario seconded. The motion passed on a recorded voice vote of five in favor, none opposed. The board’s authorization includes the following directions: begin parent notification immediately; proceed with the legal sufficiency review under the cited policies and statutory sections; and return to the board with a formal adoption item when the process is complete. Dr. Moore said the pilot will allow the district to “deliver on what we promised parents we would be providing on day 1” while completing the administrative review. Public commenters asked about transparency in curriculum selection during the workshop and public comment. Jennifer Pippen of Moms for Liberty said she wanted more transparency about why the district categorized the materials as supplemental and asked whether parents had the opportunity to review multiple curriculum options prior to enrollment. Dr. Moore responded that staff and attorneys had reviewed the process and that the district intended to follow policy for formal adoption. Ending: The board approved the pilot 5-0. The superintendent and staff will notify parents, complete the legal sufficiency review, and place a formal adoption item on a future agenda when the policy and statutory requirements have been met.