State board staff explain textbook-committee scoring, confidentiality and next steps for public review

State staff reviewed the legal and procedural steps for statewide textbook adoption and what board members may review between now and the formal vote.

Presenters explained that textbook committees appointed by the State Board physically review submissions, score them on a rubric and assign color-tier recommendations (for example, high-tier "blue" scores in the 90s and "yellow" recommended materials in the mid'80s). Until the board votes and vendors sign contracts, committee reports and vendor lists are treated as confidential under contract law; staff said committee members take oaths not to disclose deliberations during the procurement period.

The presenter described local options: even if a publisher is not on the state-recommended list, local districts may still pursue a textbook through a local review process, but they may not use state funds on materials the board has rejected. Staff emphasized that the list a vendor submits and the committee's recommendation are distinct from local purchasing decisions.

Public review mechanics: After the board votes and contracts are executed, approved textbooks will be available for public inspection at various libraries and local districts will hold hearings before choosing specific materials for purchase. Staff urged board members to use the department's textbook room to inspect materials but reminded them that sharing committee documents during the contract period could create legal exposure.

Next steps: Board members were given committee reports in sealed envelopes for review and were encouraged to contact staff or the textbook administrator (Dr. Carol Jones) with specific questions; staff promised to provide the committee list and reviewer comments where allowable.