Gaylord board approves three‑year i‑Ready math extension after extended debate

The Gaylord Community Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a three‑year extension of the district's K–6 i‑Ready math program after extended debate about student proficiency, curriculum content and contract length.

Board members and staff spent more than an hour questioning how the program is used in classrooms, how it aligns with state benchmarks and whether the district should commit to a five‑year contract to capture estimated savings. One board member pressed that third‑grade M‑STEP proficiency fell from 43% in 2018 to 35% in 2024 and argued the district should consider a shorter extension to allow earlier reassessment. "35% proficient," that board member said of the third‑grade result, calling the figure "abysmal" and urging action.

Administrators said the recommendation came from teachers, department chairs and the finance director, noting the i‑Ready curriculum has been in place for six to seven years and that staff reported it contributed to growth in many grades. "We adopted Curriculum Associates i‑Ready," an administrator said, adding that the product includes web‑based materials, reproducible workbooks and professional development. Officials also explained that different assessments (M‑STEP vs. PSAT/SAT norms) and grade‑level testing windows can produce different proficiency patterns, which contributes to the apparent jump in later grades.

The board debated contract length and costs. Administration and finance presented three price options: a one‑year renewal (about $91,000), a three‑year option (approximately $76,000 per year) and a five‑year option (about $71,000 per year), with the five‑year term generating roughly $100,000 in savings over shorter terms. Supporters of a longer term cited financial savings and the stability that comes with a multi‑year adoption; opponents said the district needed an earlier checkpoint to evaluate whether the curriculum is producing results for elementary students.

After discussion, a board member moved to amend the motion to approve a three‑year extension; the amendment was seconded and carried. The board's final vote on the three‑year extension was recorded as unanimous, 7–0.

Administrators said the district will continue to monitor multiple data sources, including formative and summative assessments, and that department chairs will analyze fidelity of implementation, pacing guides and professional development to support teachers. The board also discussed that if student outcomes do not improve, the district retains the ability to revisit curriculum choices, though multi‑year contracts are typically paid up front and can limit short‑term exits.

The action resolves the agenda item as presented: the K–6 i‑Ready math program will remain in use under a three‑year contract, with the district signaling continued monitoring of outcomes and implementation supports.

Next steps: staff said they will return to the board with annual data and progress updates as part of ongoing curriculum review cycles.