Oklahoma schools chief laments elimination of textbook funds

Joy Hofmeister

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – The Oklahoma State Department of Education says it’s recommending that schools not buy any new textbooks this year because of a lack of state funding.

The department said Wednesday that lawmakers did not appropriate any money for new textbooks for the fiscal year that begins July 1. State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister says students will be forced to use "outdated and tattered school books held together by duct tape."

Last fiscal year, the department received $33 million for textbooks.

Hofmeister says the department is recommending a one-year delay of textbook selection. The 13-member State Textbook Committee is expected to consider the recommendation at a special meeting later this month.