Board approves K–3 Bookworms and Fundations literacy programs

The Boyne City Public Schools Board of Education on Monday approved two K–3 literacy programs: Bookworms as the district’s primary K–3 ELA curriculum and Fundations to strengthen foundational phonics and word-study instruction. The motions passed by voice vote after presentations and questions from board members.

Presenters told the board the adoption follows a year‑long review and a stepwise process that began with defining district priorities and a literacy framework. “This is probably our most important curriculum district wide — we can’t teach kids to read, the rest is kind of dead in the water,” the district curriculum presenter said, urging a careful rollout. Katie Reinhardt, a first‑grade teacher on the adoption team, described Bookworms as an Open Education Resource that emphasizes trade books and three 45‑minute instructional blocks for shared reading, ELA/writing, and differentiated instruction.

Board discussion covered implementation pacing, the balance of offline versus digital materials, and assessment alignment. Presenters described a spring pilot for the Foundations program (with a five‑hour training) and June in‑person training for Bookworms followed by full implementation in the fall. The board recorded the administrative recommendations on the public record: Bookworms at $82,800 and Fundations at $29,000; both motions were moved and seconded on the record and approved by voice vote.

The presenters also outlined ongoing support needs, including coaching and common data points for short cyclical assessment to monitor growth. The district said materials purchases will be made from the general fund while it seeks possible reimbursement from state literacy grants if the Michigan Department of Education later designates the materials as eligible.