Cheatham County Board adopts Savvas science textbooks for K–12 after local committee review
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Summary
The Cheatham County Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt Savvas Publishers' science textbooks for K–12 after a local committee of teachers reviewed materials aligned to Tennessee''s Next Generation Science Standards. The board will next address budget allocations to purchase the materials.
The Cheatham County Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday to adopt a slate of science textbooks recommended by the district''s local selection committee.
District staff presented the committee''s recommendation to adopt Savvas (Savvas Learning Company) materials: Elevate Science for kindergarten through grade 4 and grades 5''8, Mill & Levine Biology for grades 9''12, and Experience Chemistry for grades 9''12. The adoption follows a multi-step review process that included classroom teachers from each school, publisher demonstrations, and professional-development sessions on Tennessee''s Next Generation science standards.
Why it matters: Adopting aligned instructional materials is the first procurement step; the district''s academic and finance teams will now plan for funding and rollout. Board members said they expect textbook purchases to follow the standard budget process.
District staff member Chris Cooper, who led the presentation to the board, described the committee''s process: "Whenever we do a new adoption cycle for any of the textbooks that are required by the state in their adoption cycles, we have to go through specific procedure. It starts by nominating a member from each school in the district to be on the committee to choose." Cooper said teachers attended state adoption meetings, hosted publisher caravans and then voted on the materials most closely aligned to state standards.
Cooper told the board that teachers rated the Savvas materials highest for rigor and alignment with Tennessee''s standards. The K''2 adoption includes a K''2 path that integrates with the district''s elementary literacy product, Benchmark Advance, a connection Cooper said will help build vocabulary and background knowledge across subjects.
Board members asked about cost and next steps. Superintendent Dr. Beck said the district will incorporate the adoption into upcoming budget discussions with the finance office. "Once we adopt this, then we'll begin the budget process," Dr. Beck said, adding that finance discussions would begin as soon as the next day.
The board recorded a roll call vote after a motion to approve the committee''s recommendation and carried the measure with all members voting yes.
What happens next: Administrative staff will work with the finance office to identify funding and an implementation timeline, including professional development tied to the new materials and existing state instructional guidance for science.
Board members praised teachers for their involvement in the selection and the professional development that accompanied the review. The presentation said some of the district''s ISM (instructional support/implementation) funds will be used for equipment that supplements the new texts.
The adoption does not finalize procurement until budget appropriation; the board must allocate funds during the budget process to purchase the materials and related equipment.