Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Curriculum Music topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Everett Public Schools adoption team recommends Quaver Music; board advances curriculum to second reading
Summary
A district committee unanimously recommended Quaver Music for elementary music instruction; the board moved the recommendation to second reading by general consent and heard a proposed implementation plan with estimated costs and training supports.
A committee of Everett Public Schools music teachers and administrators on April 22 recommended Quaver Music as the district's new elementary music curriculum, and the school board advanced the recommendation to second reading by general consent.
The adoption team, led in presentation by Tammy Kaufman, P–12 fine arts facilitator, told the board the recommendation was unanimous after field testing and community review. Kaufman said Quaver Music "makes learning fun and interactive." The team reported 53 community and staff participants provided feedback during a virtual open house.
The recommendation is tied to district priorities for equitable access and alignment with Washington State music standards, Kaufman said. The presenters said Quaver includes integrated social-emotional lessons, culturally diverse materials, assessment and reflection tools, and ongoing publisher updates.
Doctor Bowden, who described the district's implementation approach, said the total quoted cost is roughly $240,000 over seven years (amortized to about $35,000 per year), plus a one-time instrument purchase budgeted at $150,000 and an estimated $40,000 for year‑one professional learning. Bowden said the purchase would be covered within existing budgeted amounts and that publisher-led and job‑embedded training would be provided in summer and into the school year.
Board members and student representatives praised the adoption team's process and community engagement. Director Herman asked about instruments; Bowden said the district will inventory existing instruments and prioritize purchases (recorders, ukuleles and similar classroom instruments were mentioned) while seeking fiscally conservative sharing or rotation strategies.
With no objections, the board moved the Quaver Music adoption forward to second reading. The district staff said they will return with the second‑reading item and implementation details, including timelines for teacher training and instrument distribution.
