Chuck Hughes, Board of Education
♦After reading elsewhere about the recycling concerns at the County’s recycling facility, I visited the North Long Street site early Monday to see for myself if any confidential documents were on display. I met with the facilities manager who assured me the Rowan-Salisbury School System was cautious with what they sent for recycling. The stacks of paperbacks and soft cover documents showed the school’s attentiveness. Some were outdated school books, used workbooks, odds and ends given to the school system by sales reps. Nothing present would compromise anyone’s identity.
What caught my eye was a series of “collector” children’s books, in pristine condition with colorful covers and several almost mint condition children’s dictionaries. Numerous children’s books with colorful illustrations and with stories printed beneath them. If no NCDENR rule against scavenging existed, I would quickly gather these items to give them to eager children for reading or study rather than “recycling.”
Its said individual teachers make the choice over what books and materials go to recycling. If so, I wonder why some teachers would not recognize the value of these books and dictionaries going into children’s homes or libraries. Even homeschoolers might use these books. More than a few students struggle with literacy and reading who may not have much reading material in their homes. Some books appeared well-suited for kindergarten and first or second grade reading levels. One of my initial thoughts was: “Why not donate them to the library”. I was informed by Board of Education staff the library could not accept books from the school system. The reason remains unclear.
An idea come to me, why not set up a monthly “book flea market” in each school district and allow anyone, adult or child to surf the sea of hundreds of books available just for the taking?
I hate to see these books and dictionaries wasted when they could live again in some child’s home.
Photos of books at the Rowan County Recycling Center:
