Bethel Park board approves $696,256.99 K–5 Amplify (CKLA) adoption

The Bethel Park School District board of school directors voted 8to 0 to adopt Amplify's Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) program for all students in kindergarten through fifth grade at a total contract price of $696,256.99, the district's curriculum staff said. The purchase includes one year of Amplify professional development and a year-long implementation coach assignment.

Board members raised implementation and inventory questions during discussion. A board member asked whether the programquote assumed 250 kindergarten students; curriculum staff said the district planned a six-year pool that provides 1,500 kindergarten-level books to be drawn down over the six-year period and noted current kindergarten enrollment at 232 students. "We're currently at 232 kindergarteners," a curriculum staff member said, adding that the six-year approach avoids pre-ordering for uncertain future enrollment.

In presenting the recommendation, the curriculum director said the purchase secures materials and supports to implement a consistent core program across elementary centers and to align instruction with the district's MTSS framework. The motion to adopt the Amplify CKLA program was made by Mr. Scalzo and seconded by Ms. Janicek; voting opened and the motion carried 8to 0.

The board also moved the larger consent agenda that included the adoption vote; overall consent items 1 through 17 were approved in the same board action. The curriculum staff noted the contract includes both instructional materials and professional development supports intended to help teachers implement CKLA with fidelity.

The board did not schedule additional public hearings or a separate vote on funding; the motion passed during the regular meeting's business items. The administration said materials and professional development would be scheduled after procurement and that implementation supports would be aligned with district MTSS timing.

Next procedural steps: the district will proceed with procurement and scheduling of vendor-provided training and coaching as described in the purchase package.