1.

Beyond financial concerns, was there any other reason for not supporting the reading specialist requested?  Would looping or podding of classrooms allow for having a classroom teacher(s) provide this specialty within the current numbers of teachers?

The reason the reading specialist is not included in the budget proposal

is strictly financial. A Literacy Specialist is available at Donaghue, however. The principal asks that he be given time to study his enrollment before responding to the grouping alternatives proposed in the second half of the question.

2.

The science textbook purchase is consistent with an elementary standard curriculum across the District, like the Scott Forsman (ELA) and EveryDay Math?

The elementary science textbook purchase in some schools’ Supplies/

Materials/Textbooks line stems from the district’s Science Curriculum Task

Force suggestion that the schools consider supplementing existing Science

and Technology for Children Units with a reference text. The task force

believes the texts will provide students and teachers with greater content

information.