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Big Lake board approves social studies and math curriculum adoptions totaling about $840,000
Summary
After multi-staff presentations and committee work, the board approved a five- to six-year social studies adoption (~$206,952) and a multi-year math adoption (Amplify Desmos K–3 and Savvas Envision 4–12; total package $633,393). Both recommendations passed by voice vote following motions and seconds.
The Big Lake Public School District board approved new curriculum adoptions for social studies (grades 6–12) and mathematics (K–12) after staff presentations and curriculum-committee review.
Social studies: District staff recommended Northern Lights for 6th grade, Traverse Social Studies for 7th–8th grades and locally written high-school courses for geography, U.S. history and world history; McGraw Hill was recommended for high-school civics and economics. Staff said the changes reflect Minnesota Department of Education standards shifts—emphasizing inquiry, disciplinary literacy and adding an ethnic-studies offering—and noted required schedule changes (for example, moving government and citizenship into grades 11–12). The board approved the social-studies recommendation on a motion to approve the listed materials and local writing for several high-school courses; the package was presented with a five‑year costs estimate of $206,952.
Mathematics: District leaders described a year-long review and a shift to standards emphasizing data and conceptual understanding. The board heard about K–3 recommendations for Amplify Desmos (with a five‑year boost in early years for implementation) and Savvas Envision for grades 4–12 (with SuccessMaker supports). The recommended multi-year purchase package for math materials and software was presented as $633,393; the board approved the motion to adopt Amplify Desmos for K–3 and Savvas Envision for grades 4–12 and associated supports. Administrators described a three-year implementation plan, an in‑district online option for accelerated middle-school students, and continuing evaluation of outcomes.
Both adoptions were presented as the result of teacher-led reviews, alignment work with new Minnesota standards, and multi-stakeholder piloting. The motions carried on voice votes with no recorded roll-call tallies in the transcript.
