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Updated: Monday, 02 Mar 2009, 9:58 PM CST
Published : Monday, 02 Mar 2009, 4:40 PM CST
URIAH, Ala. - Leslie Bell aspires to become a teacher. The senior at J.U. Blacksher serves food at the Cotton Patch Cafe, but it's what's missing on her school's menu that's troubling her. "I'm going to school to become a teacher and I have this mind frame of what it's supposed to be like, and I just think it's sad," said Bell.
She's referring to the school's book shortage. The school is a Kindergarten through 12th grade school, and students of all ages have had to share books and complete homework in class. Of four classes, Bell only has books for two.
"I'm not very good at literature, but I can't take my book home to read 'Macbeth' and all these other stories," she said.
Michele Whittington is a substitute teacher with three children who attend the school. She hopes help is on the way. "We have more students than we have books here. Our school is well-filled; we're busting at the seams," Whittington said. "My 5th grader already has 25-26 in his class, so that gets a little frustrating for him at times."
The frustration may continue next year. "They're shutting down Frisco City High School from up the road and they're sending 90 other kids down here next year," said Bell.
The copy machine has become an essential part of the classroom. Teachers copy portions of books for students, but parents and students said they have to pay for their own paper.
"If you lose your worksheet, you have to pay your teacher 10-cents to get another worksheet because they don't have enough paper," said Bell.
While teachers are doing their best through the shortage, Bell believes some students are reaching the point of no return. "I have 56 days left before I graduate high school. So what's the point of getting a book when you just have 50 days left of school?"
The school's principal confirmed there is a book shortage but would not comment further. The Monroe County School District superintendent said it has recently ordered more textbooks.
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