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Board approves PLTW biomedical and robotics, AP government and elementary CKLA adoptions
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Summary
Directors unanimously approved Project Lead The Way biomedical and automation & robotics courses (with a $14,000 PLTW grant backing biomedical PBS and estimated year‑one durable costs of about $17,500), adopted an AP U.S. Government textbook plan, and approved a six‑year CKLA adoption for elementary instruction.
At the March meeting the Coupeville School District Board approved a package of curriculum and career‑technical education proposals the district presented as part of a larger instructional renewal.
Project Lead The Way — Principles of Biomedical Science: Jesse Villier told the board she seeks to adopt PLTW’s Principles of Biomedical Science as a year‑long, lab‑based ninth‑grade pathway tied into the district’s CTE plans. Villier said the district secured a $14,000 grant spread over three years to cover participation and training fees; the first‑year durable equipment cost was estimated at about $15,000 and consumables about $2,000, yielding a year‑one projection of roughly $17,500 after the grant. Directors asked for examples of hands‑on work (Villier described a laparoscopic‑surgery simulation and other lab tasks). A motion to approve the biomedical curriculum and the related grant agreement passed unanimously.
Automation & Robotics (PLTW): Katya Willeford presented the district’s pilot of PLTW Automation & Robotics (two semester sections at middle school). Willeford described strong student engagement, hands‑on design and engineering skills development and community problem‑solving projects. She noted initial kit purchases had already been made during the pilot and described recurring costs: a $950 annual participation fee plus an estimated $523.50 materials restock for about $1,500 per year to maintain the program. Board members pressed on staffing and training needs; Willeford said the curriculum is teacher‑training dependent but highly transferable once multiple staff are certified. The board moved and unanimously adopted the automation & robotics curriculum.
AP U.S. Government and Politics: Megan Austin explained the district’s need to adopt a new AP‑level textbook set after an earlier free curriculum became unavailable. Austin recommended American Government: Stories of the Nation (2025 edition), a document reader of foundational court cases and a set of student subscriptions. Her recommendation proposed purchasing 25 student textbooks, 25 document readers and 150 student subscriptions (subscriptions roll over across years). The board discussed costs, access and teacher supports and approved the recommended adoption.
Elementary CKLA adoption: Elementary leadership summarized a year‑long pilot of Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) from Amplify and shared early assessment gains from I‑Ready growth measures. Presenters said CKLA aligns with dyslexia legislation and Orton‑Gillingham training many staff had received. The district presented a six‑year quote that includes digital student licenses, teacher PD and consumables; the presenter cited a recent six‑year quote (about $85,000 total) and explained that consumables would be ordered annually. After discussion of professional development and supports for multilingual learners and intervention resources, the board moved and unanimously approved CKLA for adoption.
Why it matters: the adoptions constitute a coordinated shift in instructional materials and expansion of CTE pathways for Coupeville students — board members and staff framed them as aligning to the district strategic plan’s instruction pillar and workforce‑aligned CTE opportunities.
What’s next: staff will implement professional development schedules, finalize purchase orders in June based on enrollment projections, and return with updates on implementation timelines and supplies needs.
