The Montezuma-Cortez School District RE-1 Board of Education on Tuesday unanimously rejected a proposed elementary English language arts curriculum transition plan, citing the need for more time to gather teacher input and evaluate logistics.
The transition plan action item and search for a new English language arts curriculum comes in the wake of the board’s rejection of the controversial Bluebonnet curriculum, which was struck down at a recent special meeting in a 4-3 vote, leaving teachers with no English language arts curriculum at the start of the school year.
Following the issues with Bluebonnet and the alleged change of the a memorandum of understanding signed with Houston Independent School District, Superintendent Eddie Ramirez issued a resignation that was announced to staff on Monday and parents on Tuesday. It is unclear if Ramirez’s resignation and the issues with BlueBonnet are connected.
The school board discussed and struck down a motion to instate the proposed English language arts curriculum transition plan. When the proposal was introduced, Vice President Laura DeWitt asked to hear from principals.
The proposal, which was created by Ramirez with the help of two principals, six teachers and two district administrators, offered a transition plan that would utilize Amplify CKLA for its English language arts classes while other curricula are reviewed before adoption.
The proposal said the narrowed down, top three choices from seven potential curriculum would be available for public review for 30 days.
Kemper Elementary Principal Paulette Porter said she had spoken with her English language arts staff about Amplify CKLA but wanted more time.
“I would like a little time with my staff to make sure we do the research before we just jump into the CKLA blindly,” she said.
Porter noted that 55% of the students at Kemper are on a READ plan, so it was important to ensure compliance with the READ Act. She also expressed concern about working Amplify into the New Education System model.
She added that it took one staff member hours over the weekend to “take those slides and put them into the cadence that NES requires” for one lesson.
“I guess I’m just asking for a little bit of time to make sure that we make a well-informed decision, that I hear from my teachers and that we give them collaboration,” Porter said. “How can we compensate them for the above and beyond their regular day?”
She also expressed concern about using an interim curriculum just for teachers to have to switch again when a new curriculum is adopted. Another program, Benchmark, was also discussed.
“Benchmark was a very dense program, very hard for teachers, especially newer teachers, to implement …” Porter said. “So, I think the hang-up right now is, do we switch to this (Amplify), and then once we go through adoption, switch to something else? Do we switch to this and let it be interim for the school year? What’s best for kids and what’s best for our teachers is what my concern is at this point.”
Lewis-Arriola Elementary Principal Angela Sauk said her staff unanimously preferred returning to Benchmark, the prior program. She reported that teachers already have access to the materials, including leveled readers and teacher editions, and are prepared to begin with plans to make the program work with NES.
Sauk said Lewis has experienced little staff turnover and that teachers have refined their approach to Benchmark over the years it was used.
“One of the differences Lewis has is we don’t have new staff this year,” Sauk said. “My guys are ready to rock and roll with Benchmark. … We’ve had it for three years, so instead of jumping into Amplify and having to learn that new program and another program next year – my staff unanimously did not want to go with that.”
One board member asked whether district policy required a uniform curriculum, and it was indicated that would be a superintendent decision.
Sauk also pointed out errors in the slides in a new math curriculum that teachers have been fixing, in addition to trying to figure out English language arts.
“For teachers to have to go through and make all these changes … they’re in tears. I’m just going to be honest with you guys. Period,” Sauk said.
Following discussion, the motion to approve the written transition plan failed, with the board electing to gather more information and to allow principals more time to consult with their staff.
Ramirez was not present at the meeting. His resignation, which the district said needed to be formally accepted by the board at a meeting, was not discussed or included in action items on the agenda.
The Journal requested Ramirez’s letter of resignation and was told it not available because the board had not yet voted to accept or reject the resignation. The Journal filed a records request for the resignation letter that was still pending as of Thursday morning. The Journal did not receive a response from DeWitt when it inquired about when the resignation was expected to be accepted.
The board has a scheduled special meeting on Thursday with an agenda item that includes choosing an interim superintendent.
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