Welfare Group Asks Specific Book Policy

The Ann Arbor Board of Education has been asked by a local organization to formúlate a more specific policy for providing required textbooks for all children from local low income famüies. In a letter dated March 18, the Washtenaw County Welfare Rights Organization asked to meet with the board as soon as possible to discuss four proposals: -"Prepare and issue a statement providirig that it is the policy of the Ann Arbor School Board to provide required text books to all children from low income families." - "Order a study begun now of the anticipated need for text books for children from low income families for next fall and implement the study by ordering the books." -"Design a procedure for parents of low income families in order to obtain the required books for their children and make sure that the books are reserved for these children." - "Publicize the availability of free .books for children from low income families within the school system, i.e. contact every teacher and every parent of low income." The County Welfare organization said the proposals were prompted by the difficulties of a third grader at Northside Elementary School in obtaining a mathematics textbook. The girl, from a low income family, had to wait from September until Feb. 25 to receive her book. The Welfare group says not all teachers know about the school system's "indigent fund" used to buy books for children from families who cannot afford them, and also claim there is no set procedure to make sure the low income children who need the books actually get them. The books are sometimes passed out randomly, according to the County group. No date has yet been set for a meeting with the school board. ■