District staff recommend new social-studies textbooks and a mix of print and digital materials

District curriculum staff presented recommendations for a social-studies textbook adoption and described the committee process, school-level review and caravan vendor evaluations.

Larry Salisbury, director of teaching and learning for literacy, said the committee used rubrics, school surveys and in-person ‘‘caravans’’ with publishers to narrow vendor options. Salisbury recommended Analytic Orange for K–5, McGraw Hill for grades 6–8 and 9–12, and Bedford, Freeman & Worth (BFW) for Advanced Placement courses. "So based on the work of the committee members and our schools, we would like to recommend the following textbook vendors," Salisbury said.

Salisbury told the board that schools preferred a combination of print and digital formats. For K–5 the materials described were consumable workbooks that travel home with students; for grades 6–12 the recommendation included class sets. Board members questioned whether enough class sets would be available for students who need to take books home and whether the district’s contract timing would allow flexibility if the community decides to limit screen time in K–3 classrooms. Salisbury said the warehouse can maintain extra materials and staff will attempt to plan purchases to preserve flexibility and accommodate future policy decisions.

The presentation was advisory: the board received the recommendation and discussed purchasing logistics and timing with staff, who said they will coordinate with finance and return with purchase details when appropriate.