Trustee’s motion to pull $2.4M in curriculum purchases fails; board approves purchasing agenda

A motion by Trustee Melton on March 9 to remove three curriculum items from the purchasing agenda so trustees could first be briefed on the selection process failed and the board approved the purchasing agenda.

Trustee Melton said she could not support approving approximately $2.4 million in instructional materials without a public presentation of the curriculum selection process, pilot results and alignment to state standards. "I make a motion to remove the 3 points, from the purchasing agenda on curricula in order for us to have time to have the process presented," she said.

Board President Rodriguez and district staff warned that delaying procurement could postpone delivery of materials to classrooms and increase costs. The chair called the question and the motion to pull the items did not carry. The purchasing agenda was approved after a motion and second; the transcript does not record a roll‑call tally.

Trustees discussed the appropriate forum for curriculum review; staff and trustees said the academic achievement committee historically provided those presentations and that the committee will resume meeting. Trustee Melton said she will keep advocating for a more transparent presentation of the rubric and pilot work to ensure board members can confirm alignment between curricula, graduation requirements and state standards before approving purchases.

What the transcript shows: a clear request for more transparency about curriculum selection and a failed motion to remove the items. The record does not show any formal policy change to require public curriculum presentations or a vote tally on the purchasing agenda at this meeting.