Board adopts HMH Into Literature for middle school and StudySync for high school, approves two contracts totaling up to $302,000

The Piper Board of Education on June 8 approved two major English language arts adoptions after staff summarized pilot results and teacher feedback.

Dr. Wood, who led the adoption review, told the board that a condensed pilot for grades 6–12 narrowed finalists to StudySync, My Perspectives, Amplify and HMH Into Literature. According to the presentation, high school teachers favored StudySync for rigor, vocabulary work and differentiation, while middle school teachers favored HMH Into Literature for foundational reading skills.

The board voted to adopt HMH Into Literature and the associated professional development for Piper Middle School in an amount not to exceed $150,000 to be funded from the textbook resources fund. The motion passed unanimously (7–0).

Shortly afterward the board approved StudySync and associated professional development for Piper High School in an amount not to exceed $152,000, also funded through the textbook resources fund. That motion also carried 7–0.

Dr. Wood emphasized that no adopting resource is “turnkey” and outlined plans to provide a two‑year professional development package, supplement novel studies where needed, and ensure tier‑three supports for students who remain behind grade level. Board members asked about access to digital materials during the summer; staff said pilot/digital access would continue through the summer and physical materials would arrive before the school year.

Both adoptions were presented as investments in instructional consistency and were linked by staff to the district’s math gains and broader strategic plan. The board did not amend the funding sources on the record; both adoptions were recorded as funded from the district’s textbook resources funds.