Board waives first read and adopts McGraw Hill StudySync for grades 6—2

The Caroline County School Board voted Feb. 9 to waive first read and adopt McGraw Hill StudySync as the divisions secondary (grades 6—2) English language arts high-quality instructional materials (HQIM).

Staff described a multi-month review that included a 20-member textbook review committee, stakeholder surveys, pilot classroom use, vendor presentations and final surveys. Miss Kim Hayslip and curriculum staff said the committee narrowed three vendors to two finalists and that McGraw Hill StudySync scored highly on alignment to the 2024 Virginia English Standards of Learning and on supports for exceptional education and English learners.

The staff estimate for a seven-year adoption was $645,740.87, which includes print and digital materials, teacher editions, six anchor novels per grade (one per unit), and two professional-learning days each year over the contract. Mudd and other staff said they plan to use All In funds to cover the grades 6— materials and the textbook fund for high school materials; professional learning for middle school will also use All In money.

Board members discussed the pros and cons of waiving the first read versus following a standard two-read process. Concerns about due process were raised on the record, but staff and committee members said they did not anticipate additional substantive feedback before a second reading. A motion to waive first read and adopt the recommendation passed by roll-call vote.

Staff said a detailed vendor quote is in the packet and that final cost could vary slightly with enrollment or adjustments to the number of paperback novel copies.