Board approves K–5 summer take-home book packs after debate; vote splits 5–4

The Centennial School District Board of School Directors voted 5–4 on April 22 to approve the purchase of K–5 summer take-home book packs at a district cost not to exceed $49,986.21.

Background and presentation

Mr. Rutz (district staff) presented the program as the district’s fourth year of providing summer take-home book packs for kindergarten through fifth grade to prevent summer learning loss and build home libraries. Staff said fewer than 1% of eligible students opted out in 2024; a follow-up ThoughtExchange survey after distribution received 52 participants and showed 83% of respondents were “very or somewhat satisfied.” Rutz said the vendor Lerner reduced its quote, bringing the total to $49,986.21 and lowering the per-pupil cost to $20–$22.

Debate and concerns

Board members and the public offered competing views about program reach and cost-effectiveness. Opponents questioned survey response rates and whether the program should be funded out of the general fund after ESSER grant support ended. Missus Lynch said the purchase “is a budget item without any grant funding” and announced she would vote no. Other board members noted library access and grant-seeking as possible alternatives; proponents said the program benefits students who lack easy access to summer reading opportunities.

Vote and related actions

The motion to approve the K–5 summer take-home book packs passed 5–4. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Crossen. The transcript records a “no” vote from Missus Lynch and lists four named no votes as “Mary Alice, mister Alex, and june and mister Mark” (these names were provided in the meeting transcript as the board identified dissenting votes); the meeting record does not list an explicit full roll-call in the transcript for every voter for this item. The board also approved other education purchases and library-text purchases earlier in the agenda, including library books for high school and elementary schools and world-language instructional materials; these items were approved by the board in consent or separate votes.

What was in the order

Staff said approximately 2,300 K–5 students are eligible for packs (each pack includes five books) and that the district’s purchase would cost about $20–$22 per pupil. Lerner supplied the books and staff said the company reduced the quote from the amount shown at the April 9 education committee.

Ending

District staff said the program is included in this year’s board-approved budget for teaching and learning, and that administrators will continue to seek grants for future funding. Board members who opposed the item said they would prefer alternative uses of the funds or more robust evaluation data before continuing the program with district dollars.

Selected quote

“My vote will be no,” Missus Lynch said during the pulled-item discussion, adding that she objects because the program is funded from the district budget rather than by a grant.

Votes at a glance (selected items from the April 22 meeting)

• K–5 summer take-home book packs (7.2a): Approved, district cost not to exceed $49,986.21; vote 5–4 (seconded by Mrs. Crossen). • Library books, William Tennant High School (7.2f): Approved, district cost not to exceed $4,636.33. • Projector and speaker replacement (9.2c): Approved, district cost not to exceed $265,700.86. • Postage machine lease (8.2b): Approved, $1,980 per year (five-year lease, beginning 2025-08).

(See board minutes for detailed roll-call votes and exact purchaser/vendor contract language.)