Board adopts new K–12 math textbooks after unanimous committee recommendation

The Amherst County School Board adopted a division-wide mathematics textbook recommendation that a review committee and stakeholders prioritized: Kiddom for elementary grades and the committee’s top-choice secondary program. The committee unanimously recommended both programs and suggested a seven-year adoption cycle to support teacher training and curriculum alignment.

Miss Matheny presented the committee’s work, noting the review included teacher representatives, special-education staff, math coaches and a public stakeholder feedback window. Committee findings referenced Virginia Department of Education correlation reports showing alignment to state standards; the committee reported near-unanimous staff and parent support for the recommended pair.

Board members asked about funding, digital access, continuity between elementary and secondary instruction and the vendor transition. Finance staff said the county textbook reserve could cover the purchase; vendors indicated they could provide digital access as the adoption process proceeds. The committee recommended a seven-year cycle to allow sustained professional development and coherent implementation.

The board voted in favor of purchasing and adopting the recommended materials and directed staff to begin ordering and implementation planning; administrators said they may pilot lessons during summer school if materials arrive early.

Next steps: the administration will finalize ordering, develop an implementation plan and schedule teacher professional development tied to the seven-year adoption cycle.