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With adoption of new elementary reading and science texts slated this year and book prices up 65 to 135 percent, the Rappahannock School Board reluctantly raised the book fees for elementary students by $5, bringing the charges to $27 for grades kindergarten through third and $37 for fourth through seventh.
The reading and science series now used at RCES cost $26,905 when adopted; the updated version of those same books will run $44,812, Superintendent David Gangel noted. The textbook fund is supposed to be self-supporting with rentals amortizing the purchase price over the life of the books, but under the current fee schedule, the elementary school’s fund will be about $35,000 “in the red” when the new texts are purchased in 1989-90, he said.
The superintendent acknowledged that his quotes are retail costs while books on the Virginia Department of Education’s list would be available at a cheaper price under state contract. (The School Board has usually in the past selected books from that state-approved list to take advantage of savings realized by buying under a state contract, although texts not on the list may be purchased instead.)
“I’m not sure exactly what adoption will cost. It will depend on the series. But I do know we don’t have enough money now in the textbook funds at the elementary school,” Dr. Gangel said.
And even with an increase in fees this year when the new books are chosen, there will be a shortfall in 1989-90 when the texts are purchased, he added. In fact, according to RCES principal Bernard Chessir’s calculations, even a $10 jump in fees would still leave a deficit in the text fund at the end of 1989-90.
“If we don’t do it gradually, there’s going to be a right smart impact all at one time,” observed board member Bryant Lee.
“But it’s right expensive for these little tykes. I remember when parents used to complain at $18 fees," said veteran board member Paul Nichols.
“I wish I didn’t have to propose this,” Dr. Gangel said. “I know it’s a hardship, particularly for families who have more than one child in school, but even with a $5 increase, we’re going to have a shortfall and we’re going to have to look at the elementary school’s general fund and to the school budget (for money to make up the deficit).”
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