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Parents, students press board on reading, math curriculum and device buyback rules
Summary
At public comment Peter Gorman criticized the district's use of 'science of reading' and Eureka Math; a fourth‑grader asked for a classroom egg incubator project; board and staff discussed a new device buyback policy (proposed $300 sale price) and pickup/signature procedures for graduating seniors.
Adult and student public comments at the March 18 meeting focused on curriculum and classroom enrichment, while the board debated how to operationalize a new device-buyback program.
Peter Gorman, a parent who said his son is a first-grader at St. Michael's Elementary, told the board he was concerned about recent curriculum moves in early reading and math. "Science of reading is a misnomer...the popular version focuses narrowly on decoding," Gorman said, urging that first-grade instruction begin with mastery of alphabet foundations before asking students to read for comprehension. He also criticized the district's use of Eureka Math as "too fast-paced and broad," saying some word problems ask students to solve tasks they have not yet been taught.
Isa Henderson, a fourth grader from St. Michael's Elementary, described a class project to incubate eggs and asked the board to support the hands-on science activity; the superintendent and board members praised her presentation and said staff would follow up with her teacher, Miss Butler.
Separately, staff presented a proposed technology-dispensation policy and AR that would formalize surplus equipment sales and allow an internal buyback/sale program for retiring devices. Mr. Wilson said devices could be sold to graduating seniors and others and mentioned a proposed sale price of $300 for certain retired laptops. Board members and student representatives raised logistical concerns about pickup requiring an adult signature, the possibility of after-school pickup, and how to notify students and families; staff said the AR will include required documentation (bill of sale, operational verification) and that the policy will return for second reader.
The board thanked public commenters and students for engaging and requested staff follow up with more detail on the device process and community notification.
