Teachers’ survey shows preference to prioritize science curriculum adoption when funds are available
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
A district survey of 156 teachers found 47% prioritized science adoption, 28% social studies and 31% no preference. Staff recommended getting publisher quotes and presented likely costs; board asked staff to obtain quotes for both science and social studies ahead of budget planning.
District staff reported results of a teacher survey the board requested to identify which core curriculum teachers would prioritize if the district had one‑time funds to adopt new materials.
The district received 156 teacher responses. Staff said 47% of respondents prioritized a science adoption, 28% prioritized history/social studies, and 31% reported no preference; about 26% of respondents said they would be interested in piloting materials.
Staff estimated the cost of a full science adoption could approach recent math adoption costs and suggested the board consider using the anticipated one‑time funding (staff estimated approximately $1 million pending state confirmation) plus possible general fund support. The math adoption had previously cost about $2.1 million, staff told the board.
Board discussion and next steps
Trustees asked for publisher quotes for science and social studies materials to better understand likely costs and ongoing maintenance. Staff said publishers typically provide nonbinding general quotes for pilot planning and that the district would need to plan funding over one or more years if an adoption exceeded anticipated one‑time funds.
Staff recommended the board consider committing the majority of anticipated one‑time funds to an adoption only if the board is prepared to supplement with general fund dollars; the board asked staff to obtain quotes and return with a financing plan for possible pilot and adoption scenarios.