Palmerton Area School District plans to offer a new math program for its primary grade students.

On an 8-1 measure, the school board on Tuesday approved the adoption of the Go Math K-6 program for eight years at a cost of $147,918. Director Darlene Yeakel was opposed.Yeakel said she voted against the program because she did not have a chance to see it.Before the vote, Daniel Heaney, director of curriculum, instruction and technology, said the program was overwhelmingly selected by the teachers.Heaney said he was pleased with the cost of the program, and added, "I thought it would be more expensive, to be honest with you."The Go Math program was developed to support the Common Core State Standards for mathematics.It emphasizes the critical areas and depth of understanding through interactive lessons, research-based instructional approaches, best practices from around the world and differentiated instructional resources to ensure success for all students.Also on Tuesday, business manager Diane Serfass informed the school board that preliminary figures show the district is scheduled to receive $121,893 in new Ready to Learn Block Grant funding.That amount is $170,928 less than the $292,821 that was initially projected, Serfass said.It was then noted that the district could use the money from its Ready to Learn Block Grant funding to pay for the program.The Ready to Learn Block Grant funding for public schools focuses on student achievement and academic success.Funds are allocated through a student-focused funding formula to enhance learning opportunities for students, and provide resources for schools to innovate at the local level.