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Curriculum committee approves career-coach certifications, instructional coaching threshold and digital pathways purchases

Cumberland County Schools Board (committee meetings) · January 7, 2026
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Summary

The curriculum committee approved NC Career Coach certifications (partnership with FTCC), set a not-to-exceed $300,000 threshold for RTI instructional-coaching contracts to expedite principals' requests, and approved HMH Personalized Pathways requests for up to $300,000 to let additional schools opt-in using school funds.

The curriculum committee voted to approve several items aimed at strengthening college, career and classroom supports. Staff described the NC Career Coach certification through FTCC (Fayetteville Technical Community College) that places career coaches in select high schools; FTCC funds the coaches with no cost to the district.

Committee members also approved a not-to-exceed $300,000 threshold that allows district principals to engage RTI International for instructional coaching (to fill coach vacancies or add support) without returning each contract to the board. Board members debated fiscal prudence and the urgency of providing supports to struggling schools; staff clarified the threshold is intended to expedite contracts that are paid from school budgets and would not shift district funds.

The committee also approved HMH Personalized Pathways purchases for roughly 21 schools (math and/or ELA) using school funds; staff described how the product integrates with MAP assessments for individualized online paths and that the IE block is intended for small-group teacher-led interventions rather than full-class, always-on device use. A science textbook adoption process was presented as a received item with RFP and review milestones ahead of an April recommendation.

Motions on career coach certifications, the RTI threshold and HMH purchases were moved, seconded and carried by the committee.