Aurora East USD 131 board approves $2.6 million HMH curriculum purchase, literacy tools and staff credential program
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Summary
The board approved a $2,516,441.01 purchase of HMH English/Spanish curriculum (six‑year agreement), a $65,200 Lightsail literacy purchase funded through Title I, a world‑language pilot, and a Northern Illinois University credential program for non‑certified staff funded by a teacher vacancy grant.
The Aurora East USD 131 Board of Education approved four curriculum and staff‑development actions at its meeting: a $2,516,441.01 purchase from HMH for K–5 English and Spanish language arts, a $65,200 Lightsail reading purchase funded through Title I, a world‑language pilot for heritage and AP Spanish, and a partnership with Northern Illinois University to support non‑certified staff in earning teaching credentials.
Doctor Engel presented the Lightsail reading purchase and said the total cost is $65,200 and that Title I funds will cover the expense. The board approved the motion by roll call.
Doctor Engel also presented the K–5 literacy pilot recommendation. The curriculum committee recommended HMH and Arriba La Lectura for K–5 English and Spanish language arts. The proposed cost for that adoption is $2,516,441.01; board members were told the agreement is a six‑year commitment. A board member asked whether dual‑language and language‑acquisition stakeholders had reviewed the selection; presenters said the language acquisition committee had reviewed the materials and would collaborate on implementation.
Doctor Guzman presented a world‑language curricular resource proposal for Spanish textbooks at the high school. The district is piloting vendor options including Vista Higher Learning, Wayside and Carnegie for heritage and AP Spanish; the motion to approve the world‑language pilot passed by roll call.
Mister Asa Gordon presented an educational credential program in partnership with Northern Illinois University to support 28 non‑certified staff members in earning a professional educator license (bachelor’s or master’s level pathways were described). The district said the program will be funded through the teacher vacancy grant; the projected total cost is $596,775. The board approved the partnership by roll call.
Votes at a glance
- Motion 7.b.0.1: Approve purchase of Lightsail reading from 3 11 literacy in the amount of $65,200 (funded through Title I). Outcome: approved by roll call vote. - Motion 7.b.0.2: Approve purchase of Intel reading and Arriba La Lectura from HMH in the amount of $2,516,441.01 (six‑year agreement). Outcome: approved by roll call vote. - Motion 7.b.0.3: Approve world‑language pilot for heritage and AP Spanish. Outcome: approved by roll call vote. - Motion 7.b.0.4: Approve educational credential BA program partnership through Northern Illinois University (projected total cost $596,775; funded by teacher vacancy grant). Outcome: approved by roll call vote.
Board members called roll for each item and the motions passed as recorded in the meeting minutes. Presenters said implementation will include professional development and collaborative work with curriculum and language‑acquisition committees; specific rollout timelines and classroom materials distribution were not detailed during the meeting.
