Legislator questions opposition to plans to protect school book funds

Tuesday, March 9, 1999 | 11:47 a.m.

His comments were made at the end of hearings Monday on two proposals to set aside money for books and other non-salary expenses of local schools. Education officials, joined by local school districts, objected to the bills by Republican Barbara Cegavske and Democrat Kathy McClain.

Arberry said lawmakers were proposing ways to correct what many parents among their constituents see as a serious problem.

"They're proposing what they feel might benefit the students of the state and here the board comes forward and says don't do that," he said.

Arberry said that leaves lawmakers in a tough spot wondering what to do to fix the problem when all the department and the districts do is oppose their suggestions.

"You know how that would read in the headlines," he offered as a caution to Doug Thunder, deputy director in the Department of Education.

Arberry told Thunder if these plans aren't good ideas, then the department and local officials have to come up with some good ideas to fix the problem.

Both AB219 and AB241 are designed to make sure that money needed for books, supplies and school maintenance projects isn't siphoned into other uses while those needs go neglected.

Local officials say part of the problem is that between 85 percent and 90 percent of total school budgets are spent for salaries - primarily teachers.

Arberry wasn't alone in his objections. Assemblywoman Jan Evans, D-Sparks, told school officials earlier that, "we'd rather not have you tell us what we shouldn't do. Tell us what we should do to get at the problem."

And Assembly Speaker Joe Dini, D-Yerington, said he too was tired of horror stories about students either not having books or using books that are outdated.