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Merton board adopts K–8 science curriculum, budgets about $140,000 for start-up
Summary
The Merton Community School District board on March 23 approved a new K–8 science curriculum as an open educational resource and recommended about $140,000 for professional development and materials to begin implementation; ongoing consumables were noted as recurring costs.
The Merton Community School District board voted March 23 to adopt a new K–8 science curriculum and recommended a startup budget of approximately $140,000 to fund professional development and classroom materials.
Administration said the curriculum is an open educational resource and that the one-time budget would cover initial training and materials to get the program running. "That is for professional development for us to get kick started on materials," the administrator said during the presentation, adding there will be some ongoing consumable costs in future years.
The board discussed how the district would handle recurring costs for consumables and whether a full replacement kit would be purchased. A board member asked whether the reoccurring cost would be stable or dynamic; administrators said full-kit replacement would carry additional recurring expense and that exact annual consumable needs were still being clarified.
The adoption follows a multi-step review by a curricular committee and an instructional team. Administration told the board the $140,000 figure is an estimate to fund initial training, materials and implementation support so teachers can use the new resources effectively.
After questions, the board moved and approved the curriculum as presented. The action was taken as new business and carries forward implementation planning with the district's instructional staff and guiding coalitions.
