Board Approves New Early Childhood Curriculum and Technology Upgrades

Beecher Board of Education Meeting | February 11, 2026

Article Summary: The Beecher Board of Education approved several significant purchases aimed at modernizing district operations and enhancing early childhood education. The approvals included a new comprehensive curriculum for the pre-kindergarten program, a district-wide phone system replacement, and new financial software.

Expenditure Key Points:

• Early Childhood Curriculum: The Board approved the purchase of the “TeachTown” curriculum for $27,125.95, fully funded by an IDEA grant.

• Software Overhaul: A $69,778 contract for Skyward software was authorized to modernize the district’s Human Resources and accounting systems.

• Communications Upgrade: The district will install a new Cross Talk Solutions phone system at a cost of $21,962.40.

The Beecher Board of Education on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, voted to move forward with a new curriculum designed to support the district’s growing early childhood (EC) program.

Director of Student Services Dawn Compton presented the proposal for “TeachTown,” a curriculum designed specifically for early childhood education. Compton noted that the EC program has grown from 10 students to 30, necessitating a more robust academic framework.

“It checked all the boxes for us,” Compton said. “Right off the bat, what I really liked about it is… this provides two years of curriculum. So we’re hitting our three-year-olds, we’re hitting our four-year-olds. We’re not repeating curriculum.”

Compton emphasized that the program supports dual-language learners, with materials available in both English and Spanish to better connect with families. The $27,125.95 cost will be covered entirely by the district’s IDEA grant money, resulting in no impact on the general operating budget.

The Board also approved a significant upgrade to its administrative technology, authorizing the purchase of Skyward HR and accounting software for $69,778. Superintendent Dr. Jack Gaham previously noted this software would streamline district operations. The implementation is scheduled for Fiscal Year 2028.

Additionally, the Board approved a contract with Cross Talk Solutions for a new phone system totaling $21,962.40. The new system will replace aging infrastructure and, according to the discussion, has the capability to place phones in individual classrooms in the future.