Boone Students Lack Essential Textbooks

Many Boone County students have been left without science textbooks because of budget cuts. Assistant Superintendent Lisa Beck tells the Gazette-Mail that the school system disposed of its old science textbooks last spring because they were more than a decade old and officials expected to buy new editions over the summer. State Schools Superintendent Michael Martirano ordered the Boone school board to make cuts after its May 31 proposed budget came in too high. Beck says those unexpected budgeting difficulties have meant that only sixth, seventh and eighth grade students currently have science books in their classes. Beck says she hopes the county will be able to still buy the books this school year if this fall’s tax revenues are high enough.