Wissahickon to seek Act 80 exception for seniors, weigh Chromebook purchases and curriculum costs

District curriculum and technology staff briefed the board April 28 on several items the administration will present for approval at the May 5 meeting: Chromebook purchases for kindergarten through grade 2, a request for an Act 80 exception for high‑school seniors who will fall one instructional day short this year, curriculum adoptions with six‑year digital licensing, and acceptance of donations from the Whittlingen Education Opportunities Foundation (WEOFF), including a Lockheed Martin grant to support high‑school science.

Dr. Dewan, presenting the committee overview, said a pilot of tablets led the district to choose Chromebooks for K–1; the purchase would restore a shared‑device model at K–1 on a 2:1 ratio rather than the former 1:1, while grade 2 will remain at the district’s 1:1 standard. She said the procurement reflects classroom needs and cost tradeoffs identified during the pilot. The board will be asked to approve the purchase on May 5.

The administration also will request an Act 80 exception because seniors in this school year will have 179 instructional days due to a school closing on Feb. 6; the district plans to seek permission from the relevant state office to proceed. Committee members asked about how families can review curriculum materials during the 30‑day public review period; staff said materials and contact information are available on the Department of Teaching and Learning website and that building leaders are encouraged to help families access reviews.

Curriculum adoptions include both physical textbooks and digital licenses. Staff explained amounts shown in the adoption charts include costs that cover six years of digital licensing and consumable student materials; the six‑year span aligns with the district’s curriculum review cycle and helps lock in pricing. The board will also be asked to accept donations routed through WEOFF, including a roughly $20,000 Lockheed Martin grant earmarked for high‑school science equipment and other school‑level grants such as adaptive physical‑education equipment for Stony Creek and funds toward a new marching‑band trailer.