School-Based Textbook Decisions

In response to “Schools Chief Vows to Spend More on Books,” Sept. 13: While, as a parent, I am thrilled to get any extra money for books, I am troubled by the idea that the current book shortage has been caused by “questionable local spending decisions.” I have served for two years on the school-based management council and for one year on the LEARN council at my son’s school. During that time we have never made or approved any decision which has diverted a single dime from the book budget. Even so, we suffer the same book shortages as other schools.

Last year we took substantial funds from our state block grant money to buy used books for math students who had no books to take home. Our principal was reluctant to do this as, technically, it probably violates several state and district policies. However, with the support and encouragement of school-based management, he was courageous enough to go forward. Thus, it would seem that we, as a “local decision-making” body, were about a year ahead of the superintendent in recognizing this problem and doing something innovative about it.

This book shortage has been caused by the district’s own unwise spending priorities. They simply do not allow us enough money to buy the books we need.

NOEL PARK

San Pedro