Board approves six-year ELA textbook adoption: K–8 Amplify, high school StudySync

The MSD Steuben County Board of Trustees voted April 21 to adopt new English language arts materials for a six-year period, recommending Amplify for kindergarten through eighth grade and McGraw Hill’s StudySync for high school.

Dr. Reilu presented the recommendation and said the district piloted Amplify at all K–8 grade levels this year and that teachers largely supported the switch. "We did a pilot at all of the grade levels this year with this program, and the teachers unanimously voted to move forward," Dr. Reilu said, adding that high school teachers prefer the McGraw Hill StudySync program and that the adoption includes a classroom anthology at the high school level and online access for students.

Administration provided cost estimates and said the district could either pay the annual costs in full in the current year or split the charges over two invoices; the business office would finalize that choice. Dr. Reilu also confirmed the adoption includes hard copies for K–8 in addition to online materials.

The board moved to adopt the recommended materials and the motion carried unanimously.

Next steps: the district business office will complete procurement and finalize invoicing options for the purchase and implementation schedule for the coming school year.