Many Local Implications Seen

Thlfe are 'Ell kinds of implications" in last week's State Supreme Court decisión that all Michigan public schools must provide free textbooks and supplies, the Ann Arbor Board of Education's atorney said last night. Roscoe O. Bonisteel Jr. said all the ramifications of the directive to furnish supplies are not yet known, but that it could mean the public schools must provide everything concerned with the curriculum, such as band instruments, gym outfits, towels, etc. The Supreme Court's landmark decisión originated out of a suit by two Ann Arbor parents who contended that the Michigan Constitution's guage saying a "free" public educational system must be provided means just that- totally free. Bonisteel told The News last night he does not yet know whether a rehearing will be requested. The matter must be discussed with School Supt. W. Scott Westerman Jr., who is vacationing out-of-state. It is expected that guidelines will be furmshed by the State Department of Education or the Michigan Attorney General soon to help the schools decide what must be provided. State Sen. Gilbert Bursley (R-Ann Arbor) also hinted that the Legislature might act to help the Michigan school districts pay for the textbooks and supplies. Bursley said the decisión may cost the state up to $20 million a year. "There is, of course, a key question as to whether these i funds be provided by supplemental legislative appropriation or at a local level," he said. Meanwhile, the State Board of Education announced yesterday in Lansing that it will begin notifying districts af ter Aug. 6 on at least som e of the steps they must take to comply with the ruling. Dr. John W. Porter, acting superintendent of public I instruction, said the Attorney General's Office has advised I the state board that the court I decisión means no district I this fall can charge a fee for I textbooks, supplies or I ment "incident to any portion I of the curriculum or other I recognized school activity." Porter said he realized that I the phrase "recognized school activities" is uncertain J