League City, Texas - The Clear Creek Independent School District is preparing for a temporary textbook shortage for the start of the 2011-2012 school year. Historically, the Clear Creek Independent School District placed its textbook orders in April in preparation for the following year. The District has been notified that orders cannot be placed until August 8, 2011 when the Texas Education Agency opens its new purchasing process. This order-date change will likely mean more than 60,000 textbooks will not be available at the beginning of school on August 22, 2011. These 60,000 textbooks correspond to Proclamation 2011, the new textbook adoptions made by the State for the 2011-2012 school year.

“In Clear Creek ISD we utilize textbooks as an instructional resource to compliment the district-owned curriculum. So while there will be a delay in books, there will certainly not be a delay in teaching and learning,” said Steven Ebell, Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. “Our curriculum coordinators and teachers are well-prepared to use the resources outlined in the district-developed content.”

During the 82nd Legislature, lawmakers approved Senate Bill 6 or otherwise known as the Instructional Materials Allotment (IMA) bill. This legislation creates a single fund for textbooks and technology. While funded at a reduced level than 2010, the IMA provides school districts the flexibility to use the fund to purchase textbooks and/or technology. This change in law requires a revised purchasing process which will be available to school districts August 8, 2011.