Millions spent as text books tossed

Maybe they should all go to laptops..... pricy in the beginning, but can be updated as needed....

Maybe if they kept using the math and english and other books where the subject matter doesnt change, and only replace those FEW books that are NOT in bad condition and RECYCLE the books that ARE in bad condition to produce the new books...well then we may be able to see a reduction in the ridiculous debt this state has! Then maybe our taxes can go down and we can all actually hold on to our homes! Whats the point of educating our kids if they will never be able to afford anything later in life??? We need to make wiser choices and protect what what is becoming an endangered species in the state of Florida due to high taxes and insurance...in case your wondering what the new endangered species is...ITS THE FLORIDA RESIDENTS!!

ANNOYED wrote:

Maybe if they kept using the math and english and other books where the subject matter doesnt change, and only replace those FEW books that are NOT in bad condition and RECYCLE the books that ARE in bad condition to produce the new books...well then we may be able to see a reduction in the ridiculous debt this state has! Then maybe our taxes can go down and we can all actually hold on to our homes! Whats the point of educating our kids if they will never be able to afford anything later in life??? We need to make wiser choices and protect what what is becoming an endangered species in the state of Florida due to high taxes and insurance...in case your wondering what the new endangered species is...ITS THE FLORIDA RESIDENTS!!

I Totally agree !!!!!!!!!!

PCS has more waste. Please research the Administrative levels. The "organizational chart" is linked on the PCS website. PLEASE!

Just another example of poor judgment, planning and execution of our government at the expense of our children. What a waste and what a shame on those that would even think of profit before learning. Our country needs new thinkers and less pushing by the large companies trying to take money out of our pockets. What about at least sending these books overseas to children that could use them, let the publishers pay for the shipping and distribution and if they even think of passing that cost onto us, fine them deeply, and if they think about passing that on, close them down and get new publishers.

typical government garbage. why does it take approx $10,000 to educate a kid in a government school when the private sector can do an equal or better job for $3500? because of crap like this. the whole system is broken and needs to be blown up! we need a voucher program in this state to make the government schools have to compete to get better. look at the graduation rate, are you freaking kidding me? nevermind america, go back to sleep. did you ever consider that it is in the governments interest to have a country full of idiots- just smart enough to hold down a job to pay taxes and be a good little government subject but not smart enough to challenge and hold to account those in power?

A+ Decision making....Spend 12 million a year on textbooks, but add back the 4.2 million (by firing 50 plus reading coaches, eliminating materials and trainings in our schools!!!). Let's make sure we have the books---who cares if the kids can read them!
Mandated textbook purchases -12 million
Eliminate reading coaches + 4.2 million
Pinellas Decision Making PRICELESS

Can and are these books being recycled?

There are some excellent points made here. It's sad that the reading coaches will be eliminated and we over spend on updating of text books. As far as Private School costs, they range from $7,000 -$14,000 here in Pinellas. I will start eighth grade at public school after 7 years in a private school, St. Petersburg Christian School.

I think one of the most frightening parts of Public School is that there isn't a personal finance course offered. In private school, we have had a personal finance segment since 5th grade. In seventh grade we have a full semester. The kids in my neighborhood (even high schoolers) have no idea what an asset or liability is, how credit cards work, why a budget is important. Is it that surprising that our State and Local Government is unable to allocate monies correctly.

Although reading coaches are needed, it is still a parent's and older sibling's job to read with their children everyday. It really isn't the schools job to "make sure" your child can read. The school is there to train and correct, parents are there to help the kids practice their new skills.

Remember: Waste always begins with "Lack of Knowlege"

From what I just read, a major reason that these books are being replaced is because of political ties between the publishing companies and politicians in Tallahassee??!! This needs to be looked in further!! We have budget cuts everywhere and this sounds like a complete waste of taxpayers money.
Keep digging Mr. Deeson!!

Again our representitives screwing us and loving it. VOTE em ALL OUT

Sean 7th Grade wrote:

There are some excellent points made here. It's sad that the reading coaches will be eliminated and we over spend on updating of text books. As far as Private School costs, they range from $7,000 -$14,000 here in Pinellas. I will start eighth grade at public school after 7 years in a private school, St. Petersburg Christian School.
I think one of the most frightening parts of Public School is that there isn't a personal finance course offered. In private school, we have had a personal finance segment since 5th grade. In seventh grade we have a full semester. The kids in my neighborhood (even high schoolers) have no idea what an asset or liability is, how credit cards work, why a budget is important. Is it that surprising that our State and Local Government is unable to allocate monies correctly.
Although reading coaches are needed, it is still a parent's and older sibling's job to read with their children everyday. It really isn't the schools job to "make sure" your child can read. The school is there to train and correct, parents are there to help the kids practice their new skills.
Remember: Waste always begins with "Lack of Knowlege"

WOW Sean, you seem to be on the right track. This is an excellent letter. I do wish you well in your future. Great ideas. I do wish parents and of course the schools pay proper attention to your suggestions. I love your closing: "Waste always begins with 'Lack of Knowledge'"

...and all this while our poor students do not have any books inside their homes...why were not those old books given to them to take home?...they were paid for by their parents' taxes anyways...

Let's add another complete set of books for each classroom because the little darlins' are too overworked to take a book home. They have a book at home AND one to use at school.

Sean, I am impressed. Your post was more articulate and made better points than some adult's posts.

You are right that it is the parent's and older sibling's job to help their children read, but that doesn't always happen. The sad fact is that in too many families, the parents and siblings can't or won't help their children read. Even if they can read themselves, they might not have the time or they might not have the skill of teaching.

You did mention that reading coaches are needed, but do you have any new ideas on how to improve this problem?

Wow. Listening to Buba and he said that $19,000,000 are spent in Hillsborough county school books. My son is now in 8th grade and he has not brought a single book home from any of his classes. The only thing that he brings home are printouts. Where are these books they are buying.

This is such a total waste of $$. Our legislature has lost their minds.

teacher wrote:

...and all this while our poor students do not have any books inside their homes...why were not those old books given to them to take home?...they were paid for by their parents' taxes anyways...

Agreed!! These books should be going home and maybe there would be alot more intelligence being shown by children and even their ignorant parents because they were poor students or never completed school. What about all of the migrant kids and their parents?

Yet one more example of a corrupt government. Time to vote out the old and vote in new folks - and get rid of this stupid law. Replace what NEEDS to be replaced. If it's not broken, don't fix it.