The biggest shock when our family moved to Crystal Lake in 1958 was that we had to pay for text books at Crystal Lake Community High School and in District 47.
I think the price was in the $80 range then.
Goodness knows what it is now for three kids.
Sunday the Chicago Tribune’s front page story was entitled,
In textbook fees,
Illinois is No. 1
Those without children in school might feel relieved because this part of the public school cost is basically a user fee.
Reporter Diane Rado points out that Illinois has had a textbook subsidy. It was passed in the late 1970’s as a way to help Catholic school children. The logic was that every private school student saved the taxpayers thousands of dollars.
As soon as the bill was passed, I called District 47 School Superintendent Bob Blazier. He applied for some of the very limited first-year money. Crystal Lake won.
Take a look at the fees in Huntley School District 158: