Apr 26, 2017 By Cara Host 3 min read

Bethel Park School Board purchased new reading books for kindergarten and first and second grades, but teachers will still be using the old books – at least for kindergarten – to balance fun and learning.

The board unanimously voted during it April 25 meeting to purchase Wonders, a reading series from McGraw-Hill publishers, for $199,615. Discussion about whether to buy the books for kindergarten sparked debate over whether kindergarten should be a challenging academic environment or a more relaxed place to learn and play.

Supporters of Wonders said that program would better prepare students for first grade while the current kindergarten reading series, Land of the Letter People, focuses on concepts that many students already learned in preschool. Others, meanwhile, touted the Letter People’s use of songs, puppets and characters to introduce each letter, which makes learning fun.

“We need to keep kindergarten fun,” school Director Jim Means said. “We need to keep students learning and excited about school.”

It will now be the job of administrators and teachers to blend Wonders with the Letter People to hopefully strike a balance between challenging and fun. Superintendent Joseph Pasquerilla said the task wouldn’t be easy and he expects some growing pains, especially in the first year, but he is confident the teachers and staff will be able to come up with a curriculum that uses the best of both reading books.

“Compromise is a wonderful thing,” school Director Pam Dobos said.

The board received plenty of feedback from teachers and parents concerning the book purchase. Dozens of parents spoke at the past several school board meetings, with most advocating for Wonders. Others emailed or called board members privately.

“It warmed my heart to see such an outpouring on a curriculum issue,” board President Donna Cook said.

The board purchased Wonders for third and fourth grades last year and opted to pilot the program in a limited number of kindergarten, first and second-grade classrooms this year. Since the school board purchased the rest of the series, all kindergarten through fourth-grade classes will use Wonders in some form next school year.

In another matter, the board closed two positions and opened another. The board has been trimming district staff in recent months in response to declining enrollment. For the most part, Bethel Park reduced staffing without furloughs, by simply not filling positions upon some employees’ resignations.

However, the board chose to furlough a part-time instructional aide at William Penn Elementary, Cristy Radcliffe, after it closed an instructional aide position at Neil Armstrong Middle School. The Neil Armstrong aide, Anne McGowan, will move to the position at William Penn since she has more seniority.

The board closed another position, a 10-month secretary at the high school, which was vacant due to a retirement. The board opened a part-time special education paraprofessional position at Neil Armstrong.

Dobos dissented on these moves because she said she was unconvinced the changes are in the best interest of students.

The board also purchased 350 Dell Chromebooks to replace ones that have fallen into disrepair at Independence Middle School. The $106,750 purchase was be made about a year earlier than anticipated. Administrators said the old laptops were made of cheaper materials and have not held up as well as they hoped. Administrators believe the more expensive Dell computers will be more durable. However, the old Chromebooks will be refurbished and put into use elsewhere in the district.

The board also renewed the food service contract with Metz Culinary Management. Lunch prices will increase by a dime next year and the food service program will post a profit of about $300.