Boone County board approves new K–12 math curriculum, MTSS intervention and one-year rollout training

The Boone County Board of Education voted 5–0 to adopt a new K–12 high-quality instructional resource (HQIR) for math, approve the multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) math intervention required under state policy, and fund a one-year professional development rollout for teachers and leaders.

Superintendent Dr. Hauswald told the board the recommendation responds to state requirements for instructional materials and MTSS. "It is a requirement under state law, that we adopt a high quality instructional resource," she said during the meeting.

District math consultant Kelly Stidham and curriculum lead Tara Drysdale described a multi-stage selection process that began in December 2024 and included teacher and student pilots. Stidham said the district narrowed proposals to two finalists, asked teachers to pilot both in September and collect student feedback, and that "25 of our 27 schools selected the same HQIR," a factor the presenters said showed strong consensus.

Board members asked about supports for both struggling and accelerated learners. Stidham said every lesson in the chosen program includes differentiation and an extension: "for every lesson, there's differentiation for students who need a little bit more, but every lesson also has an extension that replaces part of that lesson for students who are achieving at high levels." The presenters also described immediate, auto-generated assessment features that produce follow-up activities to support instruction.

The board bundled three related agenda items and approved them in separate motions: the curriculum adoption, the MTSS intervention component, and a professional-development plan that district staff said will include in-person training for teachers and leaders during the rollout year. A presenter summarized the PD as "in person training for every teacher in the district," and noted the first year will also include purchases of materials and curriculum fees.

Fiscal and operational details presented to trustees emphasized cost control: presenters said the chosen HQIR was the less expensive of the finalists and that adopting a single coherent series reduces costs and eases transitions for students who change schools midyear. The superintendent and board also noted curriculum spending represents a fraction of the overall budget but a substantial instructional investment.

What happens next: the approved curriculum, MTSS component and PD will move to implementation planning at the district level; presenters said the rollout is a one-year, districtwide effort with additional materials purchases for the first year. No additional board votes on these items were recorded at the meeting.

Votes at a glance: each item (curriculum adoption; MTSS intervention; HQIR professional development) passed by voice vote, recorded as 5–0 in favor.