Bend‑LaPine outlines math pathway adoptions as budget and enrollment pressures mount

District leaders presented recommended math curriculum options and a broader budget update at the March 10 Bend‑LaPine School Board meeting, describing both classroom choices and fiscal constraints that will shape next year's budget.

Dean Richards introduced the district's "two‑plus‑one" structure: two core courses (algebra and geometry/data) followed by a third, elective pathway (data science, quantitative/calculus pathway, or math & society). The adoption team recommended Big Ideas for Math 3 and Advanced Math 3 for the calculus pathway because of curricular fit, teacher familiarity and available bilingual materials. Data science and applied math pathways are already in use at some high schools and were proposed for wider adoption; math & society was noted as an applied open‑source option useful for humanities‑oriented students and for articulation with local community college coursework.

Board members pressed for clarity on how much digital work each course requires. Presenters said most applied math and math & society sections remain largely paper‑and‑pencil (60–80% written work), while data science requires significant coding and technology (about 80% technical work in the exploring data science course). Administrators described professional learning and articulation agreements through Clackamas Community College to support teacher preparation.

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Lisa Burke framed the curricular discussion against the district's budget realities: operating budget roughly $246 million, integrated programs/grants around $20 million, and an approximate six‑year enrollment decline of about 2,000 students (a figure the district tied to roughly $23 million less in state school fund revenue). She highlighted special education funding shortfalls (district ~13% of students identified vs. state funding assumptions at 11%), PERS cost increases as previously used buy‑down accounts expired, and other unfunded mandates that will increase costs.

The board approved a small housekeeping budget resolution recognizing $2,200 in memorial donations for student scholarships (Resolution 2011). Directors and staff discussed potential levers to address funding pressures, including building utilization, further right‑sizing through attrition versus layoffs, and possible future community funding measures. Staff provided a budget timeline: proposed budget to committee March 17, a second budget meeting May 12, and final adoption in June.

Trustees asked staff to continue refining budget options and to provide clearer SIA (Student Investment Account) reporting showing how augmentative funding has been used over time rather than solely as a plug for existing expenses. Administrators agreed to provide more explicit SIA breakdowns as part of the budget materials ahead of the committee and board hearings.