The Florida Senate

233.34  Use of instructional materials allocation; instructional materials, library books, and reference books; repair of books.--

(1)  On or before July 1 each year, the commissioner shall certify to the superintendent of each district the estimated allocation of state funds for instructional materials, computed pursuant to the provisions of chapter 236 for the ensuing fiscal year.

(2)(a)  Each school district must purchase current instructional materials to provide each student with a textbook or other instructional materials as a major tool of instruction in core courses of the appropriate subject areas of mathematics, language arts, science, social studies, reading, and literature for kindergarten through grade 12. Such purchase must be made within the first 2 years of the effective date of the adoption cycle. Unless specifically provided for in the General Appropriations Act, the cost of instructional materials purchases required by this paragraph shall not exceed the amount of the district's allocation for instructional materials, pursuant to s. 236.122, for the previous 2 years.

(b)  The requirement in paragraph (a) does not apply to contracts in existence before April 1, 2000, or to a purchase related to growth of student membership in the district or for instructional materials maintenance needs.

(c)  Any school district that meets the requirement in paragraph (a) may use at least 5 percent of public school technology funds to purchase electronic book readers when authorized to do so in the General Appropriations Act.

(3)(a)  Each school district shall use the annual allocation for the purchase of instructional materials included on the state-adopted list. No less than 50 percent of the annual allocation shall be used to purchase items which will be used to provide instruction to students at the level or levels for which the materials are designed.

(b)  However, up to 50 percent of the annual allocation may be used for the purchase of instructional materials, including library and reference books and nonprint materials, not included on the state-adopted list and for the repair and renovation of textbooks and library books.

(c)  Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, school districts may use 100 percent of that portion of the annual allocation which is designated by the district for the purchase of instructional materials for kindergarten, and 75 percent of that portion of the annual allocation which is designated for the purchase of instructional materials for first grade, to purchase materials not on the state-adopted list.

(4)  Notwithstanding the definition of instructional materials in s. 233.07(4), the funds described in subsection (3) which school districts may use to purchase materials not on the state adopted list may be used for the purchase of instructional materials or other items having intellectual content which assist in the instruction of a subject or course. These items may be available in bound, unbound, kit, or package form and may consist of hardbacked or softbacked textbooks, replacements for items which were part of previously purchased instructional materials, consumables, learning laboratories, manipulatives, electronic media, computer courseware or software, and other commonly accepted instructional tools as prescribed by school board policy. The funds available to school districts for the purchase of materials not on the state adopted list may not be used to purchase electronic or computer hardware even if such hardware is bundled with software or other electronic media, nor may such funds be used to purchase equipment or supplies. However, when authorized to do so in the General Appropriations Act, a school or school district may use a portion of the funds available to it for the purchase of materials not on the state adopted list to purchase science laboratory materials and supplies.

(5)  Each district school board shall adopt policies, and each superintendent shall implement procedures, that will assure the maximum use by the students of the materials herein authorized.

(6)  District school boards are authorized to issue purchase orders subsequent to February 1 in an aggregate amount which does not exceed 20 percent of the current year's allocation, and subsequent to April 1 in an aggregate amount which does not exceed 90 percent of the current year's allocation, for the purpose of expediting the delivery of instructional materials which are to be paid for from the ensuing year's allocation.

(7)  In any year in which the total allocation for a district has not been expended or obligated prior to June 30, the district shall carry forward such unobligated amount and shall add this amount to the next year's allocation.

History.--s. 734, ch. 19355, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 892(246); s. 17, ch. 59-282; s. 5, ch. 65-420; ss. 15, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 69-300; s. 1, ch. 71-62; s. 1, ch. 73-337; ss. 39, 40, ch. 73-338; s. 13, ch. 74-337; s. 2, ch. 78-405; s. 72, ch. 84-336; s. 47, ch. 87-329; s. 5, ch. 90-288; s. 9, ch. 97-285; s. 13, ch. 2000-291.