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Valparaiso board adopts new secondary resources in English, music and science
Summary
After presentations by department chairs and teachers, the board approved new instructional resources for English, music and science for the 2026–27 school year, including literary texts, an open-access public-speaking text, method books for music ensembles, and updated dual-credit science materials.
Valparaiso Community Schools approved a package of secondary instructional resources after department chairs and teachers presented their vetted recommendations.
In English, Stacy Paggel (English department chair) and other teachers recommended several texts for course-level use: The Other Wes Moore (nonfiction anchor for Advanced English 9), Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest (to replace a less-accessible Dickens selection in AP/IB coursework), Scythe (for an English 10 dystopian unit), and an open online public-speaking textbook for a new dual-credit advanced speech offering. Tim Matthew and other teachers also recommended a composition text aligned with Ivy Tech for a new dual-credit advanced composition course. Presenters said selections were vetted by teams of more than 30 participants including parents and faculty.
Music teachers presented consumable method books and graded materials intended to provide consistent technique instruction across band, choir and orchestra ensembles; presenters said state textbook coverage made an initiative to include music resources timely. Science department chair Michelle Solomon presented earth/space science resources designed for a return to dual-credit delivery, including a lab book and online resources used by the district previously.
After questions from the board and brief discussion, trustees approved the resource adoption by voice vote.
