Perrydale SD 21 approves science and math curriculum adoptions through 2031

Perrydale School District 21's board approved a set of curriculum adoptions for science and math after staff presented the recommended materials and explained how the programs align across grade levels.

Science: the board approved a combined adoption for middle- and high-school science. Middle school will use STEMScopes, while high school will pilot biology using Miller Levine materials and rotate earth/physical science and chemistry in future cycles. The superintendent said the high-school program was vetted with district representatives (Elise Salim and Rob Ferguson) to ensure grade-to-grade complementarity; the board discussed the seven-year adoption cycle and staff explained purchasing timing to avoid gaps.

Math: the board approved the high-school math adoption recommended by new math teacher Brett Wood, who favored the Big Ideas program (physical textbook plus online options). The superintendent explained online subscriptions can be purchased as one-year or seven-year terms and that the district chose timing to balance cost and program continuity. The board also discussed course offerings for the coming years, including construction geometry, financial math and possible calculus rotations.

Board action: motions to approve the science and math adoptions passed by voice vote. The superintendent and staff will handle procurement and subscription choices within the approved framework.

Why it matters: curriculum adoptions determine classroom materials, digital access and long-term alignment between middle and high school courses, affecting instruction and budget requirements for materials and subscriptions.

Quote attribution: The superintendent said the middle-school curriculum "offers some intervention program opportunities which can be valuable," and noted staff worked together to "make sure that middle school kiddos are moving right into high school and with the tools that they need."