The trial run in Pasco, Hernando, Polk and Seminole counties proved successful, saving thousands of dollars.
By JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK
Published May 4, 2004
The savings did not come close to the initial projections.
But this year's trial run of used textbook buying in Hernando, Pasco, Polk and Seminole counties proved successful enough for lawmakers to give it a three-year extension, with a thought toward expanding the idea statewide.
"Once the story got out last year that what we were attempting to do is improve availability, at a better cost, of educational materials, everyone seemed to be more amenable to what we were doing," said state Rep. David Russell, R-Brooksville, who sponsored the measure in the House.
House members unanimously approved the bill on the last day of the legislative session. The Senate backed the initiative 34-6 in the session's opening days.
Senate sponsor Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, said passage came down to simple dollars and cents.
"I used the example of, all of you who went to college, what was the first thing you looked for in the book store? The used books, because the price differential was absolutely huge," Fasano said.
For example, the Hernando district paid $1,012 for a set of used teen health books, compared with the state-adopted cost of $1,502 for new.
Through mid January, Hernando had saved $38,400 on textbooks overall, including $14,893 on state-adopted materials. Pasco reported savings of $28,856. Polk did not submit numbers to the state, while Seminole showed savings of $11,722.
Officials downplayed the fact that, when selling the concept, they suggested the savings might run into the millions.
"It's obvious there are savings to be had," Russell said.
Fasano said he did not think the program was put fully into effect yet. As the districts become more comfortable with it, the savings will increase, he said. Even if they don't, Fasano continued, more frugal use of even a small amount of tax dollars is better than nothing.
Hernando School Board chairwoman Sandra Nicholson, who championed the idea to the local legislative delegation, agreed.
"Money is money," she said.
Concerns that the books might be of lesser quality than new ones did not hold weight, after provisions were added to mandate that used and new books must be identical in content.
But other issues still must be worked out.
Hernando textbook manager Tom Ferris reported to state officials that used textbook vendors did not respond to requests for information in a timely manner, and that directions from the Department of Education were unclear on how to complete paperwork.
Frances Schulz, Pasco director of instructional media, told state officials that the additional time required to process used book orders has increased the district's personnel needs. She added that it would be "very difficult" to continue the project without added staff.
Still, Pasco superintendent John Long said, "The only thing I want to do is give it a fair shot."
Russell said he looked forward to seeing whether the used textbook industry can support increased demand for state-approved textbooks. Even if the availability is limited, he said, "I think it should remain an option" for districts now required by law to buy textbooks from a depository, where publishers are mandated to store books.
Russell will be term-limited out of the House by then, but he expects the issue to remain. Fasano figured that the program will succeed, but predicted a fight with book publishers if the state tries to expand it.
"At that time I'm going to have to fight the lobbyists that represent the monopoly," he said. "That's the biggest hurdle to overcome."
