Committee focus review: book and instructional-material spending has risen; staff outlines procurement and review process

The finance committee’s focused transparency review on May 21 found that district spending on books and instructional materials rose notably in FY25 and remained elevated into FY26, driven by curriculum adoptions, library media collections and batch purchases timed to refresh cycles.

The presenter said the March-focused review covers FY24–FY26 and distinguishes between adopted textbooks — selected and provided under state adoption lists — and supplemental library or classroom materials purchased at district or school discretion. The report showed library materials and classroom-library orders (including pre-K refreshes) increased, while some textbook spending may be recognized across fiscal years because of timing.

Committee members asked whether purchases made this fiscal year could buy textbooks used next year; staff said some materials span years and some adopted textbooks are purchased through cooperative contracts or directly from institutions (TCL, USCB) and major vendors (Follett, Pearson). Staff emphasized procurement safeguards: schools form review groups that include librarians and teachers to preview materials, a principal must sign off on purchases, and larger textbook adoptions follow state-approved processes.

Members pressed about digital materials; staff said the district uses Sora and provides single-sign-on access for many texts, though availability varies by title and adoption. The committee requested follow-up clarifications and noted the transparency report will continue to include multi-year comparisons as more months of data are added.

The review did not propose immediate policy changes but highlighted a need for continued monitoring of book circulation and the district’s supplemental versus adopted material purchasing patterns.