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Board approves K–5 ELA pilot materials (Great Minds 'Wit & Wisdom') to inform April adoption recommendation
Summary
The board approved purchase of K–5 ELA pilot materials, piloting two vendors (Whitten Wisdom and CK) across 25 classrooms; teachers will pilot through spring and the administration will recommend adoption in April.
The Big Walnut Local Schools Board voted Nov. 18 to approve purchase of K–5 English language arts pilot materials and to move forward with a teacher pilot before making a final adoption recommendation.
Mr. Robertson presented the pilot plan for two vendor programs that will be used in 25 classrooms. The pilot will begin Dec. 2 with professional development from both vendors and will run through spring break, during which staff will collect teacher feedback and student performance data. Mr. Robertson said the combined pilot cost for both vendors is about $31,000 and that some non-consumable pilot materials could offset future adoption costs if a vendor is selected.
The superintendent noted the district had received a state fund payment to partially offset adoption costs (the treasurer referenced approximately $198,000 as a state offset in the meeting). Trustees asked about family access to pilot materials and were told unit maps and book lists were already shared with K–5 families in September and that staff would notify families of pilot classrooms.
Why it matters: Curriculum adoption affects classroom instruction, materials budgets and parent awareness. Trustees said the pilot will provide practical classroom evidence to inform a formal recommendation expected to come before the board in April.
Outcome: The board approved the pilot materials purchase (item 9.12) by roll call. Trustees said they will review implementation details and teacher feedback before making a formal adoption decision next spring.
