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Saucon Valley board adopts Studies Weekly supplement and HMH literature for grades 9–10; director discloses new publishing job and will recuse
Summary
The Saucon Valley School District board approved a K–5 Studies Weekly social studies supplement and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt literature program for grades 9–10 after committee review. One director disclosed starting a job with a publishing house and said they will recuse where appropriate.
The Saucon Valley School District board voted to adopt two instructional materials on April 14, approving the Studies Weekly K–5 social studies supplemental resource and a Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) literature program for grades 9 and 10.
The board acted after the academic and personnel committee recommended both adoptions following presentations from curriculum teams. Committee chair Dr. Tatoo told the board the committee “voted unanimously to recommend both programs to the board for approval.” The Studies Weekly supplement was presented as a weekly newspaper-style resource that can fill gaps in the district’s existing K–5 social studies coverage and includes a Spanish edition to support SIP classrooms, speakers said.
During discussion, one director disclosed that last Monday they accepted a new position with an academic publishing house and said they would recuse themselves from any future votes that might present a conflict of interest. The director emphasized the company under consideration by the high-school ELA team was not the one they were joining. The board’s legal advisor present described abstention as an acceptable step to avoid an appearance of conflict.
Board members described the HMH high-school literature package as a “well balanced” and mainstream curriculum choice that meets course needs for grades 9 and 10. Supporters noted teacher enthusiasm and the program’s mix of classic and contemporary selections.
Both motions carried. Minutes record at least one abstention on the Studies Weekly vote and at least one abstention on the HMH vote; the transcript does not list a complete roll-call tally for each motion.
The agenda materials and committee report referenced an ongoing AI policy review; the committee asked staff to revise the current draft and return with a proposal before voting on that policy.
What’s next: The adoptions will move into implementation planning with school staff and teachers; the district did not set an explicit phase-in date in the meeting discussion.
