Live Blogging - Math Adoption, Part Ten

Charles Wright continues with a long list of what they need for science, advanced learning, etc. that may be lost if Board chooses a more expensive math.  Medical fragile, archive support (everything and the kitchen sink, it would seem).  Data center is understaffed, can't do upgrades.

Michael Tolley on waivers.  Board policy exists, etc.  Some schools have expired waivers and others seeking waivers.  Set June 10th date for making a decision so by June 11th to be ordered. (There's that "hurry up.")

Waiver policy goes through Ex Directors (really? who knew?) .  Onto concerns about mobility - may not approve a waiver because of it.  How is that equitable or fair to schools?

Comments by Board

Carr - numbers ran by her.  Can I see side-by-side comparison?  What's the content behind numbers?

Westgaard - one year and seven year costs and then total costs.
Said it is apples to apples.

(New parlor game - What Time Will the Board Vote on Math Adoption?  I'm calling it at 8:35 pm.)

Carr - did I hear you say?  She's trying hard to get what is being said but Westgaard said he had accidentally erred and correct himself.

Peters - Manipulatives for MIF?

Westgaard - Yes

Peters - we could cut costs by half?

Back and forth on order and Westgaard says changing contract would damage district's credibility.  (C'mon, contracts change all the time.  If changing the contract changes the price - both for good and bad - then that can happen.)  Once again, going to the "hurry up" well.

Peters - apples to apples and I looked at them.  District is asking for hard-cover books and enVision doesn't have until 3-5 and MIF has only hard-cover which would save us money in the long run because hard-cover is more durable.  He agreed.

Do we need Pearson consultant "embedded" in district for PD?  Another staff person says that's what Pearson said for "fidelity."  Comparing proposals there is some interpretation about PD (which may change costs).

Peters - typical for just one day of PD?  Trying to get at apples to apples?

Audience members let Board know the enVision vendors are right in the room (pointing at them).  But no, the Board is NOT going to ask them questions (but that may possibly be unfair to MIF but who knows if they, too, have vendors in the room?)

Patu - sounds like vendors won't negotiate but it's my experience that you can.

Westgaard - said yes, you can but at some point you reach "best and final."  Willing to go back, not sure to get it down $3M.  (That's not the goal, everyone knows that MIF will cost more.)
Gave support to their team.

Carr - process you describe for procurement is one I am familiar with.  Once this happens, all leverage is gone.  So leverage was before moment, not after.  Westgaard agreed.

Peaslee  - email that said that if MIF is selected, will talk to us about our specific needs

Westgaard would have to ask Legal and don't want to open us up to lawsuit.

Peaslee said it was in the request.  He agreed but not sure if you can go back and reduce but Peaslee said there were other options for PD.  Westgaard said that was possible.

Peters - manipulatives brought up a couple of weeks ago and that was the time to go to the vendors.

Westgaard - been in negotiations with vendors up to the last couple of days.

Peters - Board just approved wireless package for $9 million, how do we prioritize needs? So should fund math.

Peaslee said only questions now but went onto comments.

Martin-Morris - two comment.  First, the focus.  Do not want people to confuse material for quality teaching and learning.  The book is important but the real important is the quality of the teacher.  Book is to help them.  Supports we provide and PD that goes with that.  When I hear the word curriculum for material - in my mind - is the day to day activity to provide content to students.

(So second-rate content with first-class PD or first-class content with lesser PD?)

Patu - I believe in visual learning.  So hard to learn if you don't read well.  I was one of these and I needed a picture many times.  I looked at these books and I see that issue between enVision and MIF. Huge gap that we have not closed and we won't close it if materials aren't working.  Mayor told them that district is not doing well with gap.  Even if parents can't read, child can still use the book by his/herself.  MIF works.