Gaylord board approves three-year extension of K–6 i‑Ready math after lengthy debate

The Gaylord Community Schools Board of Education approved a three‑year extension of the district’s K–6 I‑Ready math subscription and materials by a 7–0 vote, after a prolonged discussion about student proficiency, curriculum content and implementation timelines.

The board’s final motion, made by board member Rachel and seconded by board member Sarah, directed administration to proceed with the three‑year contract as presented. The vote came after debate on whether to adopt a one‑, three‑ or five‑year purchase; the three‑year option was offered as a compromise between potential savings for a longer contract and concerns from some board members about academic outcomes.

Why it mattered: Board members pressed administrators on why the district should continue the I‑Ready program after six years of use, citing third‑grade M‑STEP proficiency that dropped from 43 percent (2018) to 35 percent (2024). Opponents of a long contract said they worried the instructional materials included lengthy non‑math passages and suggested classroom time could be diverted from core math instruction. Supporters noted…