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Henderson County Board adopts Savvas and STEMscopes as science textbooks for next six years
Summary
The Henderson County Board of Education unanimously adopted new science curricula for grades 3–8 and high school following a committee review of the State Board of Education'approved list. The adoption does not by itself require immediate district-wide purchase of all materials.
The Henderson County Board of Education on April 17 unanimously adopted new science curricula recommended by a district committee and approved through the state process.
Board members approved a six-year adoption of Savvas Learning Company materials for grades 3 through 8 and Accelerate Learning'STEMscopes for high school after a committee of local teachers reviewed the State Board of Education'approved textbook list and recommended those titles to the district.
Board Chair (unnamed) recognized Director Beauchamp, who explained the adoption process used by the district. Beauchamp said the district convened a stakeholder committee led by Dr. Steve Myers that reviewed textbooks on the State Board of Education'approved list, conducted vendor demonstrations at the Watson Center, and recommended the local choices to the board.
Beauchamp stressed that the adoption is a required local action under state rules governing textbook selection and that adoption does not necessarily mean the district will immediately purchase all student or teacher materials. "It is an adoption. It doesn't mean we're going out and spending $700,000 to buy all of these textbooks," Beauchamp said, noting the board must still follow purchasing rules and budget availability.
A motion to adopt the recommended science textbooks was made and seconded; the board took a roll call vote with seven yes votes and no dissent. The board adopted the Savvas materials for grades 3'8 and Accelerate Learning STEMscopes for high school as the district's approved science curriculum for the next six years.
Board members did not outline a purchase timeline during the meeting; Beauchamp noted the adoption fulfills the board's statutory responsibility to select curriculum from the state'approved list and that any purchases would follow normal budgeting and procurement processes.
The board also received the committee handout describing the review procedure and vendor presentations; committee membership included elementary and secondary science teachers and district stakeholders.
