Chemistry textbooks are more than 20 years old as curriculum money is cut again

What happened

At the budget workshop on January 22, 2026 the district reported that the high school chemistry textbooks are more than 20 years old and that curriculum funds have been cut from the budget every year for several years, while state law sets a timetable for adopting high-quality curriculum materials. Curriculum materials were then among the items dropped to balance the 2026-27 budget in February, and the town manager's recommendation in March included $500,000 for technology and curriculum together.

Why it matters to families

Out-of-date textbooks are what students actually learn from. Cutting the same line every year makes each year's gap harder to close.

The evidence

The January 22, 2026 approved budget workshop minutes record the review of state curriculum legislation and the adoption timetable and state that chemistry textbooks are more than 20 years old with funds cut from the budget every year for the past several years.

The source