Jackson-Madison Board adopts new K–12 science textbooks after short delay over review time

The Jackson-Madison County School Board voted 5–0, with two abstentions, to adopt new K–12 science textbooks recommended by the district review committee after a failed motion to postpone the decision.

Board members debated whether to delay the vote because some members said they had insufficient time to review materials. The issue mattered because, as one board member noted during the meeting, “Our deadline is June 30 to submit” the district’s recommendation to the state.

The board’s review committee, composed of science teachers and academic coordinators, reviewed titles on the Tennessee-approved list during the fall and this spring, district staff said. A staff speaker identified the recommended materials as Savvas for K–8 and McGraw Hill for most high-school courses, with a Savvas title for Biology I.

During discussion, board members argued for more lead time on future adoptions and for exploring additional alternatives beyond the state-approved list. One board member who sits on the committee said the committee had been reviewing materials since the fall and that publishers had been available for review in public sessions.

The board first considered a motion to table (postpone) the textbook decision to a special-called meeting after committee meetings. The chair’s designee explained that a “Yes” vote on the tabling motion would postpone the decision and a “No” vote would allow the board to vote that night. On the roll call for the tabling motion Shane Barnes voted no, Jason Compton no, Debbie Gull no, Glenn Gull no, James Johnson no, Andrea Givens Moore no, and Marcia Moss yes; the tabling motion failed and the board proceeded to a formal adoption vote.

A subsequent motion to adopt the recommended science textbooks passed on roll call: Shane Barnes yes, Jason Compton yes, Debbie Gull yes, Glenn Gull abstained, James Johnson yes, Andrea Givens Moore yes, Marcia Moss abstained. Board members stressed the need to start adoption reviews earlier next cycle so more members can participate in committee work and have time to review materials.

The district staff noted that if a district wished to adopt materials not on the Tennessee-adopted list it would need to appoint a review committee and apply for a waiver under Tennessee Code Annotated 49-6-2207.

The board’s action commits the district to the adopted publishers for the coming cycle and follows the committee’s recommendation. The board chair and district staff said they will seek to provide earlier access and clearer timelines before the next major textbook adoption.