Predictably, a new legislative audit found that the textbooks used in Utah's public schools are outdated, falling apart and too few in number.
But the same audit revealed a troubling practice: when the Utah Legislature has appropriated supplemental textbook funds, some school districts have spent less of their own money on texts instead of attempting to get ahead of the problem.
One could argue that this phenomenon is symptomatic of an underfunded public school system and that school districts have to make budget decisions according to their individual circumstances. Budgeting goes to the heart of local control. But that does not absolve school districts from exerting local effort to address the textbook issue. They must be full partners in this effort.
Doubtless, it is politically unpopular for local school boards to hit up property owners year after year for tax increases to support schools. Likewise, increasing the state's share of education funding, which primarily comes from income tax, means state lawmakers must seek more taxes from working people.
Utah's textbook needs are such that state lawmakers and local boards of education each need to bite the bullet and ask for more. Legislators need to recognize that the state and local funding systems are interconnected — any change on one side of the equation affects the other. Wherever policy makers draw the line, there needs to be full accountability for the spending.
No one welcomes a tax increase. But if there are reasonable assurances that a rate hike will be earmarked for specific purposes — such as ensuring that Utah schoolchildren have an adequate number of textbooks that are up to date and of good quality — it would relieve some of the pain of a property or income tax increase.
On occasion, this page has chided the Utah Legislature for its attempts to act as a super school board. But this audit suggests that some districts are using supplemental funds for textbooks in place of their own funds for textbooks and supplies.
"In our opinion," the audit states, "it is inappropriate for supplemental funding to be used by districts to meet the minimum required expenditure." This page concurs.
Whether it comes in the form of a state school board rule or a change in state statute, it would appear that this practice needs to be addressed if Utah is to make any substantial progress in addressing its textbook supply issue. It is not appropriate when additional effort made by the state is negated by a lack of local effort. While it is understood that personnel costs are the biggest budget item for school districts and that's likely where the unrestricted funds are going, schools must also provide the appropriate tools — textbooks and supplies — to facilitate teaching and learning.
If local districts are calling on the Legislature for a substantial infusion for textbooks, they must ensure to lawmakers and the public they will respond in kind. Already, a task force on school funding has voted unanimously to urge the Legislature to give $30.6 million to replace some 300,000 outdated books and obtain another 495,000 needed books.
Given the findings of the new textbook audit, local school districts shouldn't be surprised if the textbook infusion comes with some strings attached.