4.74% cut to Reading/Lit! Tx Bd of Ed Friday 9/18, II

11:15 The Board is furious that the Legislature adjourned a few months ago until 2011, and directed the Board to cut textbook funding for Reading/Literature (now) and Language Arts/Spelling (next year) by 15%. That's a $60-million-plus hole to get them down to $465 million...

The Board has feverishly instructed the Agency to try all sorts of tricks. Usually, Texas orders 105% to allow for new schools and replacement copies, etc. But they're going to 103% this year. The Board took the unbelievably unprecedented step of asking publishers (who'd already submitted bids) to reduce their prices. Some did, others didn't. But that wasn't enough either. Next, the agency looked at historical ordering patterns, and changed their forecasts. (Often, districts don't order the Spanish-language editions they're entitled to, but the state usually forecasts a worst-case scenario.) Nice try, and it helped, but still not enough.

The Board has two options left: a 4.74% cut to "state maximum cost" across the board on all Reading/Language Arts materials. Or, because K-5 Reading is often seen as such a priority (and includes expensive-to-produce items like big books and other materials), they can keep maximum cost for K-5 Reading the same, and cut "state maximum cost" by 9.24%.

A word about "state maximum cost:" publishers can bid at whatever price they want, but the state will only pay up to "maximum cost." If a district wants something more expensive, they have to come up with the difference. (Alternatively, under a new law just passed this Spring, if a district chooses something cheaper than "state maximum cost," they split the savings with the state.) And, if the Board votes today to change the "state maximum cost" (and those are the only options left on the table), the publishers all get to re-bid, and adjust their prices up or down as they see fit.

There is much discussion about electronic materials with state-wide licenses, and open-source materials, both of which have been pushed by recently-passed legislation. But the Agency can't budget by counting on districts to order these--they have to be ready for everybody to order books at full maximum cost.

One of the subjects being considered is English Language Proficiency Skills (ELPS). These materials are only for teachers in core subject areas (math, science, social studies, language arts). One publisher is offering an all-electronic version, and has proposed a state-wide license. The Agency (and the Board) is eager to try it out, as a good experiment in how to handle electronic materials and licenses. If enough districts were to choose this option, it would save a lot of money. (Of course, the Agency can't COUNT on that...)

Mary Helen Berlanga (D-Corpus Christi) moves for the 4.74% option. There is some agreement, including from David Bradley (R-Beaumont), who is usually one of her most bitter political foes. He is concerned that asking for a cut as big as 9% will destroy any profitability. Pat Hardy (R-Weatherford) and Robert Craig (R-Lubbock) argue that K-5 reading materials are very cost-intensive (typically including "big books" that are 3 feet tall, etc., so publishers will have less leeway. It was pointed out that the state maximum cost was always higher for K-5 anyway.

Despite that argument, the vote to adjust max cost by 4.74% and amend proclamation carries on a voice vote with some opposition.