District to consider renewing Reading Horizons and Canvas subscriptions; costs exceed $30,000 thresholds

District staff presented information about two instructional software renewals: the Reading Horizons foundational literacy program for grades K–3 and the Canvas learning management system used across grades 3–12.

Reading Horizons: Staff described Reading Horizons as a research-based, multisensory phonics program aligned to the science of reading that the district first began using in February 2019 and fully implemented in K–3 by 2022. The presenter said the program supports core instruction, intervention and progress monitoring and provides digital tools and classroom assessments. The proposed renewal cost presented was $56,000; because this exceeds the district’s $30,000 threshold, staff will bring the item back to the board next month for action. The presenter said in-house professional learning and coaching will continue and that district coaches can deliver training without additional vendor costs.

Canvas: Staff reported the district participates in a statewide Canvas agreement managed by Instructure that provides the learning-management platform used from grade 3 through grade 12. The anticipated renewal cost presented for Canvas was $45,848; because it exceeds the $30,000 threshold, staff will present it as an action item to the board next month. Staff also noted possible re-adoption of Canvas Studio (a video-integration tool) as an option.

Both items were presented for information; no contract awards or renewals were finalized at this meeting.