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Marion City Schools board adopts new K–5 science and high‑school math curricula
Summary
The Marion City Schools Board approved a six‑year adoption of Inspire Science for K–5 and Carnegie Math Solutions for high‑school Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II, citing years without a districtwide curriculum and built‑in professional development; both contracts were approved by roll call.
The Marion City Schools Board of Education voted March 16 to adopt new curriculum packages for elementary science and high‑school mathematics.
Administrators recommended a six‑year, $190,809.30 contract for Inspire Science K–5 and a six‑year, $199,712 contract for Carnegie Math Solutions covering Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II. The board approved both measures by roll call.
“Part of that is because we don't have a science curriculum,” Ms. Wellman said during the presentation, explaining that the district previously relied on supplemental materials rather than a tier‑one, standards‑aligned curriculum. She said Inspire Science is digital‑access first, integrates with other elementary content, rosters through the district system and includes separate professional‑development funding through federal grants.
Administrators told the board that high‑school math courses have gone many years without an updated curriculum and that Carnegie offers consumable textbooks, a digital math lab and scripted intervention supports. The district emphasized training and implementation supports: Carnegie’s professional learning is embedded in the contract and the Inspire Science training will be covered with federal funds, administrators said.
Trustees pressed for implementation details and budget context. One board member described previous adoptions as many years in the past and questioned the timing amid constrained finances; others said the six‑year term makes the per‑year cost more economical. Board discussion also flagged the need to protect elementary instructional time so science instruction can be consistently scheduled.
Both adoptions passed on voice/roll‑call votes with a majority in favor. Administration said vendor credits were requested for overlapping products and that choosing a six‑year purchase lowered long‑term per‑year costs compared with a shorter contract.
What happens next: district staff will schedule implementation activities, training for staff, and classroom rostering; the curriculum department said it will phase professional development into the coming school year and work with teachers and building leaders to align schedules so science instruction is delivered consistently.
Why it matters: trustees and administrators framed the decisions as corrective steps after years without districtwide curriculum packages; the materials and training are intended to provide a consistent scope and sequence for teachers and measurable instructional materials for students tested in elementary science and assessed across high‑school mathematics.
Votes and costs: The Inspire Science adoption was approved (six‑year contract, $190,809.30). The Carnegie Math Solutions adoption was approved (six‑year contract, $199,712). Both approvals were recorded by roll call during the March 16 meeting.
The board also approved several other agenda items that relate to classroom resources and implementation funding, including an amendment to a Chromebook procurement and a request for an independent financial forecast review to validate budget assumptions.
