Blount County board approves $2.185 million science curriculum purchase, subject to county approval

The Blount County Board of Education voted to approve the purchase of new science instructional materials for all grade bands — an eight‑year adoption totaling $2,185,000 to be paid from Fund Balance 141, subject to final approval by the county commission.

The board’s motion, presented by staff, covers consumable student materials and yearly lab kits for elementary and middle schools and digital licenses plus supplementary classroom hardbacks for high schools. "The numbers that you're looking at are for an 8 year adoption," said Mr. Young, who summarized the recommendations. "So basically, you make the purchase and it is good for 8 years." Amanda Vance, who led the elementary adoption committee, said the district chose consumable materials and annual lab kits so teachers would receive fresh hands‑on materials each year: "At the elementary level, we are asking for the consumable textbooks... It is an 8 year purchase and we would get those every single year."

Nut Graf: The board approved the purchase to refresh science resources that staff said have not been replaced in many years and to provide consistent lab materials. The district’s committees selected different vendors by level (elementary: McGraw Hill; middle/high: Savvas) and argued the purchase will put updated materials directly into teachers’ hands.

In presenting the request, Mr. Young said high‑school hardbacks were limited to classroom sets for core courses (biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science) rather than issuing a heavy hardback to every student for cost reasons. He told the board, "we really try to be as cost efficient as possible, while also, being in a position where we can get the materials that our teachers and our students need and quite frankly deserve." The elementary presentation emphasized hands‑on K‑5 lab materials tied to curriculum lessons.

Board chair and members expressed appreciation for the committee work that began last July. The board then moved to approve the purchase "subject to county commission's approval to transfer the funding to do that," and the motion passed.

Ending: District staff and board members said next steps include coordinating the county commission review of the fund transfer and beginning procurement if the county approves the use of Fund Balance 141 as requested.