Committee approves English 9, general science and personal finance frameworks and authorizes $42,749 in ELA purchases

The Education, Policy and Review committee voted to approve second readings for three curriculum frameworks and to authorize a purchase of ELA curricular resources at its May 7 meeting.

Chair (speaker 4) brought forward recommendations to consider English 9, general science and personal finance for board consideration. After brief discussion and clarifying questions, motions were made, seconded and approved; members voiced 'aye' during roll call for each motion.

The committee also approved the purchase of ELA curricular resources to be paid from the 2025-26 budget. The amount for the ELA resource purchase was stated as $42,749.30. Administration said the purchase is intended to supply updated textbooks and digital materials aligned with the newly revised course plans.

Committee members praised the work of teachers and curriculum staff in producing detailed course plans and portraits of learning. Philip George and Jennifer Andrews were thanked for curricular leadership during presentations earlier in the meeting; staff described the curriculum work as a multi-year collaborative effort across grade bands.

The committee noted that course plans do not supplant board-approved curriculum and that some supplemental materials may be handled at the course-plan level without additional board action. Staff said they will present any final course-plan pages or program-of-studies language to the full board at upcoming meetings.

Next steps: Approved frameworks will be forwarded for board consideration. The committee scheduled continued curriculum discussions for future meetings, including the next committee meeting on June 11.