The Ketchikan School Board Wednesday night acted unanimously and without much discussion to approve a new math curriculum and extend Superintendent Robert Boyle’s contract.
The newly revised mathematics curriculum was aligned with 2012 state standards with local additions. The Board also approved purchasing new materials for the curriculum from Pearson. The enVisionmath 2.0 materials will arrive before summer so K-8 teachers can become familiar and begin using them next school year.
Part of the reason the program was chosen was for its robust technology component. Director of Curriculum Shannon Sines said teacher workshops with the new materials will begin May 1st.
The Board voted to extend Superintent Robert Boyle’s contract through June 2019.
Several School Board members praised the Superintendent’s commitment to the district including Board Member Glenn Brown.
“Having served as a superintendent kind of all over this continent and on others we are lucky to have you.”
Board President Michelle O’Brien added that Boyle’s reputation is known around the state.
“I interact with other board members and other districts, time and time again expressions of jealously come about because we would love to have him. It’s been attempted for him to be wooed away from some very prestigious districts and positions around our state and outside of our state. So, we should be very thankful that he’s here. He’s doing an excellent job.”
Boyle worked in schools in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Kazakhstan. He first moved to Alaska in 1984 and began his job as superintendent of schools in Ketchikan in 2007.
Also Wednesday, the Board decided to postpone submitting its budget to the Ketchikan Gateway Borough. The Board has until May 1st. The next Ketchikan School Board meeting is on April 13th.
