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Board to vote May 26 on middle‑school social studies textbooks and dyslexia‑grant purchases
Summary
Staff recommended retaining National Geographic materials for 7th grade, adopting TCI for 8th grade and purchasing six‑year licenses (combined estimate reported ~ $229,067.40); staff also recommended HMH literacy/writing purchases covered by a dyslexia law grant (recommended HMH purchase $129,616.38); both items were scheduled for the May 26 voting meeting.
A curriculum presenter recommended updates to middle‑school social studies instructional materials. The proposal would keep National Geographic for 7th grade, adopt TCI 'History Alive' for 8th grade and acquire six‑year student textbooks and digital licenses across the district’s three middle schools. Staff presented line‑item quotes: a Nat Geo/world history set and related licenses of $129,177.40 (with an additional $5,400 for certain licenses) and a TCI quote of $93,970; the presenter reported a combined total of approximately $229,067.40 and said she would confirm exact figures in the board packet for next week.
Board members asked whether the materials include history through 2025; staff said the online platforms receive regular updates and that content and digital platforms are updated periodically. Staff explained the district commonly plans multi‑year license cycles (present purchase proposed for six years) with periodic review and that teacher materials and professional development components were included at no cost from the publishers.
Separately, staff described recommended purchases from an award under the dyslexia‑law grant (the presenter referred to a prior award of $1,100,000). The proposal would purchase HMH small‑group instructional materials and HMH writing components for grades 3–4 and fifth‑grade assessment/writing materials; the recommended HMH purchase amount presented was $129,616.38 and staff said ample funds would remain in the grant. Board members thanked staff for careful stewardship of grant funds and asked that final totals be confirmed before the voting meeting. Both textbook purchases and the grant purchases were placed on the May 26 voting agenda.
