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Northshore board approves HMH Version 3 literacy adoption and several routine contracts
Summary
The school board voted to adopt HMH Version 3 for K–5 structured literacy (an $813,000 planned purchase over two years) and approved resolutions, project acceptances, an Inglemore amendment, and a Sunburst staffing contract.
At its May 26 working session, the Northshore School District board approved a package of administrative actions that included a notable curriculum adoption and several routine contract approvals.
Curriculum adoption: The board voted to adopt HMH Version 3 as the district's K–5 structured literacy curriculum to meet requirements of Washington's House Bill 1295. District presenters said the adoption follows pilot implementations and a unanimous recommendation from the CMAC committee; the planned purchase for teacher editions and a new digital component was described as $813,000 spread over two years. Superintendent Dr. Irish and Dr. Butler said the change aligns the district with state law and consolidates previously separate materials into a single, updated core.
District staff acknowledged earlier criticisms of HMH: a public commenter noted a prior 2022 purchase of earlier HMH materials for roughly $6.5 million that drew criticism, and asked the district for transparency about evaluation criteria and alternative curricula considered. Dr. Butler said the district piloted multiple curricula, presented pilot results to CMAC, and concluded Version 3 produced measurable improvements in their data; he described a phased roll-out (initially K–1) with professional development.
Other approvals: The board also approved annual authorizations (Resolution 917 delegating authority to King County conference and Resolution 918 renewing WIAA membership), accepted a project over $1 million (track and field improvements at Sky View Middle School), approved Amendment No. 1 for Inglemore High School replacement phase two design services and endorsed a Sunburst managed-services contract to provide specialized staffing (Sourcewell contract 061324). Each item was moved, seconded and approved by the board during the meeting.
What happens next: The HMH rollout is scheduled to begin next school year with K and 1st grade implementation and accompanying professional development; the district said it will continue implementation over multiple years. Public commenters asked the board to publish evaluation data and to explain why alternatives were not selected.
