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Bennington Public Schools board approves K–12 math adoption after hour‑long presentation
Summary
The board voted unanimously May 11 to adopt new K–12 math materials, including an elementary adoption of Amplify Desmos and a secondary package; the district estimated a roughly $1.14 million total price tag and outlined implementation and training plans.
The Bennington Public Schools Board of Education on May 11 approved a comprehensive K–12 math curriculum adoption after district staff presented the results of a year‑long review and pilot process.
Shannon Tindle, director of elementary education, told the board the elementary recommendation centers on Amplify Desmos as the core curriculum, accompanied by a diagnostic assessment and an intervention diagnostic. “There’s 3 components that we’re proposing tonight for the elementary adoption,” Tindle said, describing the core, a diagnostic assessment, and an intervention program. She reported the Amplify Desmos package includes digital teacher and student resources, consumable student texts and manipulatives, and first‑year professional development.
Tindle presented line items that the board was given: the Amplify Desmos elementary adoption was listed at $800,000; a one‑year pilot for the in‑class diagnostic and support was listed at $27,300 (with vendor cost‑share for implementation); and a student intervention license add‑on was listed at $855. Secondary recommendations favor updated Big Ideas Learning materials for grades 6–12 and targeted new texts for precalculus and electives.
Jimmy Beany, director of secondary education, explained the adoption timeline and training plan: community material displays in June, teacher curriculum writing in spring/summer, and half‑day implementation trainings for math teachers in the fall followed by periodic refresher sessions.
Board members raised budget questions; district staff said the adoption would be paid from the depreciation fund and noted the district’s current depreciation balance would cover the cost. The administration presented a combined district price tag shown in the packet as about $1,144,091.
The board moved to approve the 10–12 materials and then to accept the curriculum committee’s recommendations for the 2026–27 curriculum and personnel proposals. Both motions were seconded and passed by roll call; the board recorded unanimous yes votes.
