Superintendent outlines elementary configuration survey, new math curriculum and enrollment uptick

Superintendent presented a multi-part update on elementary configurations, curriculum implementation and enrollment trends.

She said a working group of teachers and parents studied options — keeping three K–5 buildings, creating primary/intermediate splits, or returning sixth grade to elementary schools — and plans to circulate a community survey before any boundary changes are recommended. “They want to put it into this survey and they want to get more input before they bring anything to the board as a recommendation,” the superintendent said.

On curriculum, she described summer training for teacher-leaders and a regional professional-development day tomorrow to support rollout of a new math curriculum. “Anytime you bring in a new curriculum, it's overwhelming,” she said, noting local curriculum leaders are coordinating with a nearby district that used the same materials two years ago and advising patience; trustees suggested a progress update in December.

The superintendent also reported initial enrollment of about 2,460 students, above the budgeted 2,333, and said October will provide a cleaner ADA figure for state funding allocations. Board members questioned marketing expenditures tied to enrollment growth; the superintendent said the district spent roughly $4,000 a month (about $20,000 over five months) on a marketing campaign that may have contributed to increased registration.