Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 5, 1994 TAG: 9403050054
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The state's proposed education budget for the next two years includes $50 million for the state's share of the costs of a free textbook system.
If the General Assembly approves the money, school systems will be required to provide free textbooks to all students beginning in the next school year.
But the plan could be derailed in the legislative session's final week.
The state budget does not include the localities' share of the cost, and some school systems have complained that it would be a financial burden.
Some school divisions say it would cost them several hundred thousand dollars a year to provide free textbooks.
There is a move afoot in the legislature to delay or revise the free-textbook plan.
Del. Richard Cranwell, D-Roanoke County, confirmed Friday that some legislators favor changes to ease its financial impact on school systems.
"We might have to make some changes. Maybe we could have a semi-free system so those who could afford it would pay, but others could get them free," Cranwell said.
Cranwell said it might be difficult to get the legislature to pay a larger share of the cost at this stage in the session.
A free-textbook law was passed last year, but it was delayed until the state could provide the money for its share.
The issue has been discussed intermittently for two decades, but this is the first time the legislature has considered funding a statewide system.
Some school systems already provide free textbooks under an incentive plan that provides state funds to help pay for them.
But nearly 70 percent of the school systems have a rental or partial rental system because they say they need the money.
The school systems set their own rates - from $10 to $40 per student. They vary in the Roanoke area: Roanoke's fee is $14; Roanoke County charges $11 to $23, depending on the grade level; Salem, $16 to $22; Franklin County, $15 to $18; Botetourt County, $30 to $35; and Bedford County, $35.
Some large and wealthy school systems, such as Fairfax County's, provide free textbooks, but many small divisions say they can't afford it.
Some educators say textbook rental fees are part of the funding disparity issue and reflect the inability of rural and inner-city school systems to provide the same quality of education as wealthier systems.
Most school systems provide free textbooks to the poorest students, usually those who qualify for the federal free-lunch program.
Roanoke, for instance, waives the $14 rental fee for those who receive a free lunch. And students who are eligible for a reduced-priced lunch pay a $7 rental fee, said Richard Kelley, the city's assistant superintendent for operations.
The state has been reimbursing localities for a portion of textbook costs.
Jim Foudriat, public relations coordinator for the state Department of Education, said Friday that the state will provide $41.65 per student for the textbooks if the General Assembly keeps the $50 million in the state budget. The funds are in both the House and Senate budgets.
In the past, legal questions have been raised about whether the textbook rental fees violate the state constitution's requirement for a free public education.
But Foudriat said opinions by the state attorney general's office have upheld the right of school systems to charge a rental fee for textbooks.
Kent Willis, state director of the American Civil Liberties Union, said he's not aware of any litigation in Virginia over the issue.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1994
by CNB