ESASD Education Committee Meeting (Nov 5)

The ESASD School Board Education Committee meeting, held November 5, 2026 (agenda date; meeting metadata lists November 6), covered curriculum, instruction, reporting, and high-school scheduling. The principal procurement item was a request to purchase Grade Guardian, a data-dashboard and reporting product for the district’s online academy, from Aspire Edu Inc. The presenter cited an initial cost of about $5,500, including implementation, and a recurring annual cost of $3,500. A previously selected $2,000 Canvas product was deemed unsuitable because its proposed use could create FERPA concerns; Canvas is working with the district on a credit or equivalent support or training. The purchase would be funded through a line-item adjustment within the existing Curriculum and Instruction budget, with no increase to the published budget. The committee unanimously approved a motion to recommend that the full board consider confirming the Grade Guardian contract; final board approval was still pending.

Other discussion included updates on professional development, elementary report cards, dual-enrollment offerings (including a $100-per-class option through Lackawanna College), and continued evaluation of a possible six-period high-school schedule. No other contract awards or purchasing approvals were identified.