Curriculum budget shows apparent bump tied to upfront BOCES allocations; Amplify elementary math pilot gets positive review

At the Pittsford Central School District budget workshop, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Heather Clayton presented the curriculum and instruction portion of the proposed 2025–26 budget and framed several program changes and investments as part of instructional priorities.

Clayton said the curriculum office supports textbook and supplementary resource purchases, assessment writing and implementation, and a team of 24 standards leaders who guide curriculum work. She told the Board an apparent 20% bump in the curriculum budget results largely from the business office issuing certain BOCES/shared service appropriations upfront rather than seeking repeated transfers, which makes the line look larger though the underlying costs are managed and aid is returned on the revenue side.

Clayton highlighted a roughly $13,000 increase to cover added science investigations for living environment and earth and space science, and she described the career internship program restructure (0.6 released business teacher plus a PIAP member handling clerical community‑service tracking). She also noted that some AP texts have been purchased or moved online in recent years and that moving content online should reduce future textbook costs.

On curriculum pilots, Clayton said the district completed an elementary ELA program review and is piloting the Amplify math program in some grades. She said pilot teachers reported increased rigor and engagement and that neighboring districts using Amplify perform 'as well as us, if not better.' Clayton emphasized the professional development that accompanies the program and said training will occur this spring and summer.

Clayton closed by summarizing the proposed budget breakdown and noting that if the upfront $150,000 for BOCES/shared services were removed, the net increase would be closer to 0.48% rather than the larger headline percentage.