Orono board adopts new K'12 social studies curriculum, approves $161,000 in new expenditures

The Orono Public Schools board on June 9 approved a districtwide social studies curriculum update intended to align instruction with recently updated Minnesota standards and to emphasize inquiry, disciplinary literacy and multiple perspectives.

Dr. Aaron Rulan, executive director of learning and accountability, outlined the review process and said the committee's work prioritized coherence over coverage and sought resources that support inquiry-based instruction and accessibility. "Social studies education is integral to our vision," Dr. Rulan said, describing learning goals that include civic knowledge and ethical decision-making.

Michelle Naylor, Orono High School social studies teacher and curriculum implementation lead, read a passage she said guided the committee's work and emphasized teacher enthusiasm for the materials. Quoting John Steinbeck, Naylor said the team sought resources that "catalyzed a burning desire to know." She and Rulan described K'5 renewals (Scholastic News; TCI geography), Minnesota-history resources for middle school, and a larger high-school adoption: McGraw Hill core resources for U.S. history, world history and AP courses.

The total cost of recommended materials is $190,000, with $161,000 designated as new expenditures, a figure the presenters said fits the district's previously discussed procurement target. The plan includes summer curriculum development, vendor-led fall professional development, and PLC work during the school year to support teachers.

After brief discussion and acknowledgement of teacher support for the platform's annotation and accessibility tools, the board approved the curriculum adoption by voice vote. The district will proceed with procurement and implementation planning over the summer.