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Board approves curriculum cycle, multilingual handbook and two Spanish-program pilots
Summary
The board adopted a living curriculum review cycle, approved the multilingual learner handbook (recognizing both 'English learner' and 'multilingual learner' terminology), and approved two Spanish-program pilots: a Central Middle School Spanish pilot (not to exceed $9,889.56) and an elementary Spanish reading intervention (packet shows ~$3,929).
The Hartford Joint 1 District board approved several curriculum and multilingual-education items for the 2025–26 school year, including a district curriculum review cycle, adoption of a multilingual (English learner) handbook, and two Spanish-program pilots that administrators said will be closely monitored during the school year.
Administrators presented the curriculum review cycle as a "living document" aligned to Wisconsin academic standards that is updated when DPI or statutory guidance changes. Dr. Villalobos described recent content-area changes such as an updated math adoption for illustrative math and a civics update approved earlier in the year. "We are in a very exciting phase," Dr. Villalobos said, noting the district will continue to monitor approved materials and make adjustments through professional learning and teacher input.
The board approved the annual multilingual handbook; staff noted the district is including both the state's term "English learner" and the district's preferred terminology "multilingual learner" throughout the handbook and removed unnecessary appendices while retaining required forms.
The board approved a Sabas-authentic Spanish curriculum pilot for Central Middle School with a not-to-exceed cost of $9,889.56; administrators said the pilot replaces a virtual model with an in-person teacher and will be reviewed during 2025–26. The board also approved a Pacific Learning Spanish reading intervention for K–3 multilingual learners who meet the district's RTI criteria to support early literacy in students' home language; the packet lists a cost in the neighborhood of $3,929.
Both program approvals will be monitored by the district and returned to the board as data and outcomes are collected during the pilot year.
