District outlines training and curriculum contracts after $25,000 math-science grant; EL data system on agenda

Cabell County Schools leaders told the board April 15 they received a $25,000 U.S. Department of Education grant supporting mathematics and science professional learning and that the grant will fund a countywide "train-the-trainer" cohort for Building Thinking Classrooms instructional strategies.

Kelly Watts, the district's instructional leadership services representative, described the grant-funded program: the plan funds a cohort of 36 teachers (18 elementary, 18 secondary) who will receive intensive professional learning and then serve as cohort leaders at their schools. The district will blend some local funds as a grant requirement, Watts said, and Huntington High and Huntington Middle will have specific contracts to participate in the training. "The math grant allows us to do that," Watts said. She noted that some Title I schools are using their own funds to continue the work.

Watts also highlighted an agenda contract with Curriculum Associates for an English Learner (EL) data-management system the district uses to monitor progress for EL students. The system supports teachers in tracking the district's balanced scorecard indicators for EL student progress.

Board members asked about cost and alternatives. Watts said the contracted trainer has agreed to design a train-the-trainers model tailored to the district and that the work grew out of teacher interest and prior local pilot efforts. The board placed the contracts on the consent agenda for approval; specific contract amounts and some purchase-order increases were listed in the packet but were not read into the public record during the meeting.