Board approves CKLA K–5 pilot after discussion of content and supports

The Schuyler Community Schools board voted to purchase CKLA materials for a K–5 pilot after administrators described the publisher’s third‑edition revisions and laid out training and evaluation plans.

Presenter Sam told the board the district examined multiple options and consulted peer districts, saying, “We contacted Columbus, CIES, Lexington, Grand Island Public Schools because they're all using it and they all look similar to us.” Administrators recommended a pilot in the second and third quarters with vendor and ESU support and onsite training scheduled before classrooms begin the pilot.

Board members asked whether the publisher had addressed previously raised concerns. Administrators said the third edition of CKLA (publisher Amplify) removed certain passages that had generated controversy in earlier versions — for example, some religion‑related passages in an early world‑civilizations unit were removed in response to feedback — and that the district had a document summarizing the key changes available to board members.

To measure the pilot’s effectiveness, administrators said they will compare MAP and literacy assessment results from pilot classrooms with classrooms that continue using the Wonders curriculum. They also described a timeline of professional development, visits to peer districts, and an approach that would allow the district to stop or revise the pilot if implementation problems or widespread teacher/parent objections emerged.

The board approved the purchase on a roll-call vote. Implementation steps outlined by the district office include procuring full teacher kits, scheduling vendor and ESU training before the pilot begins, and collecting midyear assessment data to report back to the board.