Board rejects amendment to bar Teachers College materials; budget approved

The Brighton Area Schools Board of Education on June -- failed to pass an amendment that would have prohibited district spending on materials, training and assessments tied to Teachers College/Lucy Calkins and directed the district to implement reading instruction "aligned with the science of reading" through grade 12 beginning in the 2627 school year. The proposed amendment was defeated 3 to 4; the overall budget was then approved 6 to 1.

The amendment was introduced by Miss Urbane, a board member, who said the change was meant to provide "clear direction and transparency around the literacy practices in our district." Urbane told the board she had repeatedly asked administrators for a spending breakdown and cited a three-day Teachers College training in 02/2022, a principalemail stating Teachers College remained "our district common assessment for grades 3 and 4," and 73.5 substitute-release days used last year for K— 4 assessments as evidence of continued use. "Our kids deserve instruction that is proven to work and our community deserves transparency," Urbane said.

Supporters of Urbane's amendment said the change would prevent district funds and staff time from continuing to support programs the board believes are inconsistent with the science of reading. The amendment text included a prohibition on spending under several budget categories for materials or services "provided by or affiliated with the Teachers College writing and reading project, Lucy Calkins, or any successor entities," and stated the board's intent to extend evidence-based reading instruction through grade 12 beginning in the 2627 school year.

Opponents said the amendment improperly tied a curricular policy to the budget approval process. "My real concern ... is attaching this to the budget," said Mister Stahl, a board member, arguing that curriculum decisions should proceed through the district's curriculum-review and committee process rather than be enforced as a budget condition. Several board members said they supported the amendment's goals but wanted the matter to be considered through the academic committee or as a standalone resolution so teachers and administrators would have time to implement changes and respect the district's multi-year curriculum-review schedule.

Administrators described the district's ongoing curriculum-review and piloting process. Doctor Mosier, an administrator, said the district is piloting elementary ELA programs now and expects new K— 6 curriculum to be adopted for the 2627 school year after multi-year review and teacher-led pilots. Mosier also said administrators had instructed building leaders to avoid approving release days for the Teachers College assessment, but the practice persisted in some buildings; she explained that contract language allows teachers to request release days and that the district has been working to standardize materials across schools.

Board members raising student-performance data said local test results underscored the urgency of clarifying curriculum. Urbane said she found that "40% of our kids at Hawkins aren't reading at grade level," citing M-STEP results and confirmation in an academic committee meeting as the basis for that figure.

After several hours of discussion and a roll-call vote on the amendment, the board recorded three yes votes in support of the amendment and four no votes against it; the amendment failed. The board then proceeded to consider and approve the district—wide projected budget for 202526#8211;26 by a 6— vote.

Board members who opposed tying curriculum direction to budget said they plan to bring standalone policy or committee-based proposals back to the board. Proponents said they will continue to raise the issue and seek board action in future meetings.

Votes at a glance

- Amendment to prohibit spending on Teachers College/Lucy Calkins materials and direct adoption of science-of-reading instruction (attached to budget): failed, 3—. - 202526#8211;26 projected budget approval: passed, 6—. - Resolution relinquishing Title 3 funds (202526#8211;26): passed, 7—. - Contract award to Corrigan Mechanical for fuel-tank removal/installation: passed, 7— (bid $493,534). - County Preschool Consortium participation (GSRP): passed, 6—. - Architect selection (King Scott): passed, 7—. - Motion to enter closed session to discuss bargaining-unit negotiation strategy: passed, 7—.

What changed

The amendment's defeat preserves the board's existing practice of handling curriculum review through committee processes and administrative implementation; it also leaves in place the approved 202526#8211;26 budget. Board members on both sides said they expect more discussion and potential standalone board action in coming meetings.

The board's debate highlighted three practical points: supporters' calls for clearer, districtwide limits on materials they consider inconsistent with the science of reading; administrators' description of a multi-year curriculum review and pilot schedule; and contractual and procedural reasons some teachers received substitute-release days for assessments. The board did not adopt any immediate districtwide curricular ban as part of the budget vote.