Don't Know Much About a Science Book

Dr. Mahaffy made a presentation to the Board, describing the process to use the $9815.18 State allotment for book adoption. District 3 gets an allotment from the state 2 of every 3 years. This year, District 3 is using its allotment mostly to adopt a new science book line.

Dr. Mahaffy explained that the allotment must be applied for each year it is available, and that it must be used to adopt state-approved textbooks only. The district is advised to apply for 5% more that allotted, because, as some school districts fail to apply, more funds become available. Dr. Mahaffy said that District 3 has always applied for the additional 5%, and has always received the additional funds.

Books are recommended for adoption by a panel of grade-level teachers, plus teachers specializing in the book's area of study (in this case, science). This year, science books were recommended by McMillan/McGraw Hill, and by Glencoe/McGraw Hill. These books work as a comprehensive program from grade school through middle school. AS Dr. Mahaffy noted during the Board meeting, this makes the program more complete than the current Holt books.

Dr. Jackie Krause remarked that the current Holt books required students to bring materials from home for lab projects. She said that the new books are not as dependent on lab work, and will allow the school to provide materials for lab projects without requiring materials to be brought from home. She added that these materials could be acquired by the schools within their existing budgets.

The application was approved by the Board with all members voting "Yes" (Board member Don Rose not present).