Issue 7, 2015

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VOLUME 103 |

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ISSUE SEVEN

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F O R U M

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E X P R E S S I O N

V I K I N G

M A RCH 13, 2015 |

PUYALLUP HIGH SCHOOL

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Viks across the world See pages six and seven

10 5 7 T H S T. S W P U Y A L L U P, W A S H , 9 8 3 7 1

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Above: The back room of the library includes a section of damaged books from the course of the 2014-2015 school year. While many of the books are damaged by students, some are retired due to wear and tear caused by years of use.

LIBRARY BOOK FINE PROTOCOL REVIEWED:

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Every year, textbooks must be replaced due to damage. The Viking Vanguard explores the different options for students who must pay book fines.

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B Y K Y L E S M I T H M A N A G I N G E D I T O R

extbook fines are a danger that every student has the possibility of facing whenever they check out a book from the library. When students lose books, the replacement copy must be purchased through the Textbook Media Center (TMC) which is in charge of purchasing the replacement books for the entire Puyallup School District. The fine that students are charged goes towards replacing the book. Teacher-Librarian Beth Watts explains that some of the replacement books received from the TMC were used copies. “A recent problem was that some of the ‘Language of Medicine’ textbooks, which are huge paperback workbooks really, [had] replacement copies [that] were purchased and the previous owner had written in them. We have found four [books] to this point,” Watts said. “At one point we fined a student for writing in the book when she turned it in, then realized the mistake and quickly apologized and then sent the books back to the TMC for replacement copies.” Even though textbooks that are cheaper than the replacement purchased by the TMC, students are not refunded the difference. “What I see is that it is just a flat out replacement cost and the student is charged a fee for buying a new book and then if the district happens to find a cheaper copy, that money [does not] get back to the students,” Watts said. “It definitely goes towards textbooks. Textbooks are a monstrously huge part of

the district expenses. I know that any funds payment plan. There are two things that that are somehow saved in purchasing one are nice about that: one, it makes the end set of books ends up being put towards result a little less daunting because you are taking care of it a little bit at a time. It also other books.” TMC Secretary Lori Miller explains the creates a commitment to getting the job system of fines and how students can save done versus waiting and waiting which is some money on fines by replacing the what often happens,” Fredericks said. “I also look at financial needs of the family book themselves. “The district does purchase used books. and what I can do to support those. I am The fine amount is what it will cost to sure there various other circumstances. I take everything on replace the lost book a case by case basis. at the time it is being “IF A STUDENT The replacement cost replaced. Because the OR PA RENT IS ultimately ends up being used book availability ABLE TO FIND A incurred by the building and pricing fluctuates a USED BOOK FOR which is another reason lot, the replacement cost LESS THAN THE I use the waiving of in the district’s textbook F I N E A MOU N T, fees sparingly. Because management software is THEY ARE GIVEN whatever fees are not paid the price of a new book THE OPTION come out of the building at the time the books OF REPLACING budget.” are entered,” Miller said. THE BOOK AND In order to receive new “If a student or parent is H A V I N G T H E F I N E textbooks, to replace able to find a used book WA I V E D.” lost one, schools must for less than the fine determine what they need amount, they are given BETH WATTS TEACHER-LIBRARIAN and then request it from the option of replacing the TMC. the book and having the “Once the need is determined, the fine waived. Whether it is an old or new book, it is the replacement cost that must department head or school librarian contacts the TMC. If there is a surplus be considered.” Students under certain circumstances of the requested title, this is sent to the may be able to receive a waiver for their school. If not, the book will be ordered textbook fines as explained by Principal and when received at TMC, barcoded and transferred to the requesting school,” Eric Fredericks. “I exercise that [ability to waive fines] Miller said. “As with the regular price of sparingly. What I do more often than not is new books, the price difference between work with students to make the payment new and used is different with each book. of those fines affordable. Typically I The least expensive is definitely not always will help students by putting them on a the best, as you can end up receiving an

almost unusable book. When used books are purchased we look for the description ‘Like New’ to try to get the best materials for the best price.” Watts describes the range of costs that textbooks can be in. The most expensive of these is the Chemistry textbook. “The most expensive textbook we have right now is the chemistry textbook and its replacement cost is about $267 the lowest would be some of the novels we have that are only $9 replacement cost. With the textbooks [fines] should not occur until the middle of July,” Watts said. “The textbooks are due by the end of school but students, who have misplaced them or had them at a different house or something, have until the middle of July to get it turned in here at PHS or down at the district office before the fine.” Used replacement books can be anywhere from 50 percent less to 25 percent less, according to Watts. The TMC is also a relatively new system that is going through some changes. “I think the district is trying to find a way to cover this huge expense and trying to make sure that the expensive textbooks are kind of providing the funds themselves, rather than always dipping into the district to drag out more money,” Watts said. “I think that they are trying to create a system that keeps itself in the black. It has only been a couple years that we have been charging student’s replacement costs for textbooks in September. They are trying to figure how to make this work the very best.”


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