Scotia‑Glenville to conduct elementary ELA program review next year after questions about ‘science of reading’ pace

The Scotia‑Glenville Central School District will undertake a full elementary English language arts (ELA) program review during the 2026–27 school year, district officials told the Board of Education, after questions from parents and teachers about alignment with the “science of reading.”

Superintendent Schwartz said the district’s new K–12 head of humanities, Marissa Gordon, must first familiarize herself with the elementary program before the district’s ELA committee evaluates alternatives. “Our intent is to undergo a full elementary ELA program review next school year for the 2026–27 school year,” a district staff member summarized at the meeting. The review, the district said, will be a priority led by Marissa Gordon with participation from each elementary building and grade level.

The district outlined why the review will wait. Officials said the elementary team already is implementing several major initiatives this year — a new student management system, new classroom smart boards (to be delivered by Jan. 1), a new elementary report card, a new benchmark program (i‑Ready) and a character‑education program called Second Step — and that staff workload makes a high‑quality program review difficult this year.

Rick, a district staff member who spoke for the administration, said the ELA committee will be composed entirely of staff representatives across buildings and grades and that the committee will compare the current program to “alternatives that are out there.” He said the committee will meet throughout the year and the district expects regular updates with a more formal recommendation by the end of the 2026–27 school year.

The decision to delay drew sharp criticism from at least one teacher and union member. Christina Stryjak of 114 Seeley Street, who identified herself as a teacher and a member of the teachers union, said the district already has known about state guidance for years and should not wait. “We do not need another year,” Stryjak said during public comment. She said other districts are farther along and that Scotia‑Glenville risks falling behind on standards and best practices for early literacy instruction.

District leaders said the delay is intended to allow a thorough, staff‑led review under Gordon’s leadership and to avoid rolling out a program change while teachers are adjusting to multiple new systems.

The district also listed near‑term elementary supports and tools being implemented this year; those include staff training on the new benchmarks and the Second Step character program. Officials said they will report progress and committee findings to the Board during the 2026–27 school year.

Parents and staff who said they want faster action will have opportunities to follow the committee’s work and raise concerns at future board meetings.

For now, the district’s formal next step is to convene the ELA committee next school year and begin its comparative review of the elementary program.