Parents will have more opportunity to weigh in on Butler Area School District’s curriculum in the near future through soon-to-be founded advisory groups.

Superintendent Brian White delivered a presentation to the school board on Monday, May 12, highlighting the purpose and makeup of the Curriculum Materials Advisory Groups. The groups are expected to be comprised of district parents and employees.

For example, to cover the district’s elementary schools, White recommended seven to 10 parents, six teachers and three administrators. Parent and teacher representation would ideally come from as many elementary schools in the district, as well as each of the grade levels, if possible.

“The idea is that they’ll review the submitted materials; they’ll have discussions and feedback; they’ll make recommendations; and help to provide some follow up,” White said.

The first meeting is tentatively set to be held June 18. White said he is pushing to host the first meeting in June, as the elementary schools’ new Core Knowledge Language Arts curriculum has choices that need made by July 1.

For parents interested in participating in the groups, White said more information will be available in the near future.

The advisory groups will meet four times a year and submit reports to White for presentation during school board meetings. The board will not be directly represented in the groups, instead serving as final oversight, to avoid any power dynamic developing.

“We can have a teacher and parents and guardians working together to make a recommendation, not against each other,” White said.

White also clarified that the advisory groups would not look to replace any of the current ways parents can review curriculum choices, such as the 30-day review process.

Board member Al Vavro asked White if the groups would look to include parents with special needs children. White said that would be the ideal circumstance.

“I think this is welcome,” board member Jennifer Cummings said. “It is refreshing, as it is actually making sure that the community reviews our curriculum, where previously we hoped they would come, but they never did.”