The Northwest Voice

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Teachers in the Norris School District are about to make a decision that will have effects upon what is taught in Norris District schools for the next six to eight years.  Math textbooks are about to be selected.  On Wednesday, April 2nd there was a district-wide minimum day so that all K – 5th grade teachers could hear presentations from the two finalists for math textbooks: Scott Foresman and Houghton-Mifflin.  The presentations by the two publishers took place at Veterans Elementary in the cafeteria.  Since all K-5th teachers teach math they are all involved in making the final decision.  A District committee of teachers organized by Associate Superintendent Dr. Pierucci selected the two finalists.  In addition to the presentations teachers have access to the actual textbooks and supporting materials.  Dr. Pierucci hopes the decision will be made in the next month so the Norris Board can approve the selection at the May Board Meeting.

Norris Middle School teachers used the staff development time with a presenter from Applebaum.  The subject was test-taking strategies.  The teachers who teach math select math textbooks for middle school.

A text adoption is an expensive process.  The cost of new math books is projected at $75.00 per student and the District is budgeting $270,000 for the purchase.  That is JUST the amount for new Math texts.  The District is always replacing lost or damaged books and adding to existing text inventories due to growth.  With the State budget not covering the full cost of the books, the money to purchase the books must come from the same funds that are used to hire teachers.  During a very tight budget year, this is a difficult task.