During the course of reviewing the State Textbook Purchasing Board’s textbook adoption procedures, PEER noted that publishers had furnished sample copies of textbooks to each board member and to the executive secretary of the board for consideration of adoption. Contact with School Book Supply Company (the state depository and a privately-owned business) officials revealed that the company had purchased sample books from the board members and the executive secretary after each adoption. According to School Book Supply’s records, it paid a total of $37,958.50 after the 1976 adoption and $42,223.33 after the 1979 adoption. Persons paid included Textbook Board members, the board’s executive secretary, the state Superintendent of Public Education, and a former Governor’s staff member.
In its report, PEER recommended the establishment of restrictions on the number of sample copies provided by publishers prior to adoption, controls to account for these books, and legislation to prohibit state officials or employees from selling or donating copies of sample textbooks to others.
For a paper copy of this report, contact PEER by telephone at 601-359-1226 or by e-mail at reports@peer.ms.gov.