Strapped Eastern Iowa schools adopt textbook fees

The Iowa City school district authorized a new fee this year - $20 per elementary student for textbooks.

“This was enacted in the spring of 2009 as part of the effort to work toward a balanced budget for 2009-10,” said Paul Bobek, the district's executive director of administrative services. “We anticipate this will be an annual fee, not a one-time fee.”

More schools are turning to textbook fees as budgets shrink and costs rise. An informal Gazette survey found textbook fees - or school fees that include textbooks - range in Eastern Iowa from $20 in elementary school to $90 in high school.

Some might question the need for such fees - public education is free - but state law gives districts the right to charge for some educational items. Allowable fees, as defined by Iowa Code section 301.1, include anything from textbooks and computer software, to driver education classes and summer school.

Iowa City's elementary textbook fee is expected to generate a net $91,000, minus adjustments for free or reduced fee waivers, Bobek said. Textbook fees already existed for the district's middle and high school students.

Maureen Patterson of Iowa City, mother of two Grant Wood Elementary School students, said she understands the need for a fee.

“It's a bad year for budgets,” she said. “I look at it like this. We love our school. They are educating my children, so I'm happy to pay the fee.”

Linn-Mar's textbook fee costs students up to $75. The fee is prorated, however, a financial plus for parents who enroll their children later in the school year.

“The fee is used for a variety of things - textbook replacements, the printing of classroom materials,” said Dave Nicholson, business administrator for the Linn-Mar School District.

The Cedar Rapids school district also prorates textbook fees. Families who leave the district before Nov. 30, for example, can request a refund.

Ideally, a textbook fee guarantees a book for every student. That isn't always possible, though.

“In early fall, some classes can be struggling with textbooks, especially those that have a bigger enrollment than what was expected,” said Mary Wilcynski, Kennedy High School's principal.

Teachers adjust lessons to accommodate the shortage until more books are available.

In Cedar Rapids high schools, the goal is a class set of textbooks for every subject, in addition to a book for every student. Students leave their books at home for reference rather than carry them to and from school every day.

“It limits the wear and tear of books,” Wilcynski said.

When funds don't cover the cost of a classroom set, though, students are responsible for bringing their books.

There isn't a state average textbook fee. In Des Moines, all students pay a $50 textbook fee. Waterloo charges up to $85.

Clear Creek Amana students pay an all-inclusive fee of $40 to $90, depending on grade level. This covers all allowable fees the district can charge.

Marion School District, on the other hand, charges no textbook fees.

Schools districts, regardless of textbook fees, charge students for lost books or those damaged beyond normal usage.