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District recommends adopting Bridges math; year‑one cost estimated at about $50,000
Summary
Curriculum staff recommended adopting the Bridges elementary math curriculum, estimating about $50,000 in year‑one implementation costs (including manipulatives) and recurring annual costs thereafter; professional development needs were emphasized.
The Glenwood City School District’s curriculum director presented a formal recommendation to adopt the Bridges elementary mathematics curriculum.
Miss Schaefer explained the selection process: the district reviewed multiple vendors, aligned proposals to Wisconsin academic standards, observed classroom demonstrations, and assessed evidence-based instructional practices. Bridges was recommended because of its hands-on approach, scaffolding across grades, and built-in supports for teachers and students.
Year-one costs were estimated at roughly $50,000, driven largely by required manipulatives and teacher storage (about $20,000 one-time) plus implementation supports. Recurring annual licensing and materials costs were presented at approximately $56,000 in subsequent years. The superintendent and curriculum director noted that continuing with the district’s current digital materials would still carry recurring costs of roughly $12,000–$15,000 per year.
Administrators flagged year-one implementation as staff-intensive: significant teacher training and in-classroom support would be required during the first year, with expected reductions in workload by year two and three. Special-education staff and intervention teams already use parts of Bridges for targeted intervention; administrators said broad adoption would expand access beyond the currently served subset of students.
The curriculum recommendation appeared on the consent agenda and was discussed as one of the district’s most consequential near-term instructional decisions. Administrators said they would return with implementation details, procurement timelines and professional-development schedules if the board affirms the adoption.
No final formal adoption vote appears in the transcript beyond placement on the consent agenda; the board did approve the overall consent agenda later in the meeting.
