Decatur SD 61 board adopts HMH ELA curriculum, approves take‑home kits and multiple contracts

The Decatur Public Schools Board of Education approved a series of personnel, procurement and curriculum items at its April 14, 2026 open meeting, including adoption of a new K–12 English Language Arts curriculum and district purchases intended to support classroom instruction and summer family engagement.

Curriculum adoption: Mary Brady, director of P–12 teaching and learning, presented the recommendation to adopt HMH (Into Reading for K–5 and Into Literature for grades 6–12) following a yearlong pilot involving 39 teachers. The curriculum team said both vendors considered (HMH and McGraw Hill) follow a "science of reading" model; teachers favored HMH overall. The board adopted the six‑year ELA curriculum by roll call, seven ayes to zero nays. Administration negotiated vendor payment to be spread evenly over three fiscal years to reduce immediate budgetary impact.

Vendor renewals and professional development: The board approved renewal of the district audit contract with Forvis Mazars LLP and renewed Edmentum Courseware (Apex) for credit recovery and summer programs, IXL Learning subscriptions (targeted grades), Renaissance benchmark assessment services, and IMSE Orton‑Gillingham professional development to support structured literacy instruction. All those renewals passed by roll call with seven ayes and zero nays.

Personnel and disciplinary action: The board approved personnel action items and a suspension without pay for a school security officer (Aisha O’Neal) for the period April 15–28, 2026; those motions passed by roll call with seven ayes and zero nays.

School supply and take‑home kits: Administration proposed and the board approved purchasing school supply boxes and summer take‑home kits using Title I carryover funds. Board members debated alternatives—such as direct classroom software purchases or coordinating a community distribution event—before the motions passed. Both the school supply kits and the take‑home summer kits passed 6–1; Dr. Laurenson voted no on both items. Administration said kits would be accompanied by guidance for parents and noted logistics to coordinate distribution with community partners.

Facilities and procurement actions: The board approved a permanent increase to the Menards blanket purchase order limit for buildings and grounds after discussion about oversight; the motion passed 6–1 (Mr. Reynolds voted no). The board also approved roofing work: after an initial unclear vote was rescinded, the board approved a combined base and alternate roofing bid for buildings and grounds totaling $342,575 (final vote 4–3). Separate partial roofing awards for Eisenhower and MacArthur high schools were approved by a 6–1 vote.

Why it matters: The ELA adoption affects classroom instruction and materials for K–12 students; the renewals and PD support instructional continuity and interventions. The supply and take‑home kits represent a sizeable use of Title I carryover and drew board questions about coordination and measuring impact. Roofing and procurement approvals commit district capital funds for building maintenance and upgrades.

What’s next: Administration will implement the ELA roll‑out with professional development, distribute materials per the negotiated payment schedule, and coordinate community distribution plans for supply and take‑home kits. Facilities work will proceed per contracts and project schedules.