Board hears superintendent literacy update; debate grows over Lexia and device limits for youngest students

Doctora Reed, the division superintendent, opened with a data-driven literacy update and a formal proclamation of September 2026 as National Literacy Month for the district. She reviewed last year’s circulation figures and teacher‑training numbers and said the division is aligning its work with Virginia’s literacy expectations.

Parents and board members pressed for clarity about Lexia, the adaptive reading program the division uses as a supplemental intervention. Doctor Presidio explained the program’s purpose and mechanics: “En Lexia, cada estudiante completa una actividad donde los localizan en un nivel ah y comienza un programa individualizado eh de aprendizaje y el programa se adapta en tiempo real,” he said, describing how Lexia personalizes practice while generating teacher data. Board members and parents asked how families would opt students out and what additional staffing would be required if many families declined the digital option.

The presentation noted that Lexia is used primarily as a supplemental tool for students identified by the state’s kindergarten‑through‑third‑grade screening process; staff emphasized it is not the entire core curriculum. Board members repeatedly asked for fiscal and implementation detail: what additional tutoring or personnel would be needed if kindergarten families choose to opt out, and how the division would ensure reading supports remain equitable across schools.

Doctora Reed said the board would vote on final device‑use recommendations at the Oct. 8 meeting after the committee finishes follow‑up work and budgets are clarified. In the meantime, staff will provide clearer opt‑out procedures and cost estimates for the supports required when families decline digital interventions.