HAVERHILL — The good news is students in grades six to 12 received new textbooks this year, so they could give up old books that were in poor shape and contained outdated information.
The bad news is Haverhill still owes more than $300,000 on the books and is uncertain how it will pay the bill.
The city's creditors are knocking at the door, and Haverhill leaders are scrambling to come up with the $327,675 it owes.
School officials said their purchase agreement with the book company allowed for delayed payment of the money. The city planned to borrow money to cover the payment that is now due, but the state Department of Revenue will not allow Haverhill to borrow that amount of money because of the city's financial condition, Mayor James Fiorentini said. The city's finances are strained by its Hale Hospital debt, which costs Haverhill $7 million each year.
Tonight, the City Council will consider a request by Fiorentini to authorize a home rule petition that would seek special permission from the state to let Haverhill sidestep the Department of Revenue rule and borrow the money. The petition would need approval from the City Council and then the Legislature.
Asking the School Department to pay cash for the books is out of the question, Fiorentini said.
"Paying cash would devastate the school budget this year, and it would require them to lay off teachers," Fiorentini said.
This year, students in grade six to 12 received new English and science textbooks that helped them prepare for the state MCAS test. The new books replaced tattered and out-of-date textbooks that were purchased 12 years ago.
Council President Michael Hart said the city's request for a home rule petition would likely require the assistance of state Rep. Brian Dempsey and state Sen. Steven Baddour.
"We're essentially endorsing it, then passing the baton to our state reps," Hart said. "We are aware that we have a problem in city schools with outdated texts. I'd look favorably on sending this forward. It makes sense."
Fiorentini said Haverhill is the only city in the state that requires the Department of Revenue's approval to borrow money. That is because of the hospital debt.
Superintendent Raleigh Buchanan said the new English and science textbooks bring city classrooms into the modern age and were essential for preparing students for the MCAS. He said the new books are aligned with the state curriculum frameworks, on which MCAS tests are based.
"We also need new social studies books," Buchanan said.
To equip students in all grades with new social studies books would cost anywhere from $500,000 to $1 million, he said.
"These books are in the worst shape at around 14 years old," he said.
