Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Curriculum And Contracts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board renews multi‑year intervention contracts, tables Adobe MAX travel after curriculum concerns
Summary
The Governing Board approved multi‑year renewals for math and reading intervention contracts and other vendor renewals, discussed concerns about Savvas curricular content, scheduled a curriculum study session, and approved out‑of‑state travel except for an Adobe MAX trip which was tabled for further review.
The Dysart Governing Board approved a slate of multi‑year contract renewals for the 2025‑26 fiscal year, including math and reading intervention services, but tabled an out‑of‑state conference attendance while staff examines online alternatives.
Board member Maricela Zayola raised concerns about material she encountered on the Savvas (referred to in meeting transcript as "Sabas") curriculum provider website, saying some supplemental content appeared to include equity and anti‑racism material that she described as approaching "indoctrination." "It just seemed like it had worked more towards indoctrination than education," Zayola said.
District staff responded that curriculum adoption is a months‑to‑years process, that the board previously approved portions of the vendor's materials while rejecting others, and that staff would hold a study session to review state standards, curriculum mapping and supplemental materials so board members can better understand how standards and purchases align. "We will lay that out for you very soon," Dr. Cardo said, describing a planned working session on curriculum and standards.
On travel, staff requested approval for multiple overnight and out‑of‑state trips for district employees. The board approved the requests as listed but tabled one item: attendance at the Adobe MAX conference in Los Angeles, which staff listed at an estimated $12,600 and would have sent two additional public relations staff. Board members suggested investigating online training alternatives before approving the expense.
A motion to approve the multi‑year contract renewals passed; the meeting record shows the motion carried. Board members asked staff to present a curriculum study session in the near future and to return with additional documentation on the Adobe MAX cost and available online training options before approving the travel request.
