Committee approves multi-year curriculum budget; ELA pilots move forward and calendar advances on second reading

The Teaching, Learning & Equity Committee approved a proposed six-year curriculum budget on Jan. 20 that staff said concentrates district spending on an upcoming ELA adoption and on filling a K–3 social studies resource gap.

Doctor Brown told the committee much of the budgeted money will support ELA implementation in the coming school year and described the budget as a "1 and done" procurement that includes consumables. "Our ELA curriculum was up for review, and next year is an implementation year," Brown said.

Elementary staff described a phased pilot: the committee selected two preferred resources (HMH and Savvas) and ran pilot implementations so teachers and principals could evaluate materials. An elementary pilot for Savvas began Dec. 1 and continued through Jan. 29; HMH pilot activities are scheduled to begin Feb. 2 for K–2. Secondary staff supervisor Cara Bailey described a parallel secondary process: two resources were piloted across marking periods, teachers conducted lesson studies, and the district held a session with Kelly Gallagher in conjunction with vendor work. Bailey said the district has not formally approved a new district-level textbook/ digital textbook in over a decade.

Committee members asked about timeline and cost details, and staff said the budget covers a six-year adoption that includes consumables and vendor supports; staff cautioned that some contract specifics remain to be finalized. The committee then approved the curriculum budget by voice vote.

In a separate action, Doctor Nasette led a second reading of the 2026–27 school calendar. Key dates presented included a first day of school on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026; winter break Dec. 23–Jan. 1; an adjusted spring vacation pattern; and graduation dates in early June (Ruston, East and Henderson high schools scheduled across three days). The committee approved the calendar on its second reading and staff said the updated calendar would be emailed to staff the following day and released to the community after official board approval.

Next steps include finalizing vendor contracts and training dates, completing pilot feedback and returning with budget and implementation specifics for final adoption and rollout.