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Board postpones secondary science adoption after teacher input and cost questions; materials available for review
Summary
Trustees postponed the district’s secondary science curriculum adoption to Oct. 22 after discussion of pilot feedback, grant funding, Spanish print-material needs and scheduling for purchase and implementation.
Prosser School District trustees voted to postpone final action on the recommended secondary science curriculum until the Oct. 22 board meeting to allow more time for review by board members and the public.
District staff and science teachers briefed trustees on the multi-year selection process. Teachers piloted several curricula and recommended a package that balances hands-on learning with reading and assessment supports. The administration said the recommended adoption would supply teacher materials, online resources and printed student materials; staff emphasized the need for printed Spanish-language materials for multilingual learners, which added an estimated $14,000 to the previously stated purchase estimate.
The administration reported a $31,000 grant from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to offset costs; total introduced estimates rose to about $50,000 after adding Spanish print copies. Administration also noted timing and cash-flow considerations and said the district has about a year to spend certain grant funds, so staff will plan orders in a way that preserves grant eligibility.
Trustees asked for more time to review the actual physical materials. The superintendent said two full sets of print materials were available in the superintendent’s office and that staff would make materials available for trustees to review and would send additional parent communications and notices on ParentSquare and Facebook that the review period would remain open through the next meeting.
Why it matters: This would be the first comprehensive secondary science curriculum adoption in more than two decades, according to the administration. The postponed decision ensures trustees and community members have additional time to examine materials before purchase.
Ending: The administration will make materials available for in-person review and will send a new parent message and social-post notice; the board will revisit the adoption on Oct. 22.
