For Immediate Release:
RE: HIGHSCHOOL YEARBOOK PRICING CONCERNS
Tracie Boudreaux, a Houston, TX based community activist and concerned parent was interested in purchasing a yearbook for her son at a Houston area high school but much to her surprise the yearbook cost was so over the top she didn’t believe it at first. She made numerous calls to the school to get clarification and each time she was told the yearbook was $100. When she contacted her school she says, “I sent emails to the person who handles the yearbooks and I got a bounced email. She blocked me. It’s a sad day when adults put a wedge between economically disadvantaged students”
Boudreaux states, “Houston ISD has over 200k students and 60% are on reduced / free lunches. $100 for a yearbook is out of the scope for this demographic area. I believe that every student has the right to a yearbook. She continues, “I fought a situation for two years that is 730 days in this district and was victorious. I never take on a challenge I can’t conquer.
Her investigation found that the cost is similar around the country and this is not only a problem in Houston.
Why is the cost so expensive? Why were so many students deprived from purchasing a yearbook? Was there another alternative for the low income students in the school?
She found:
- The average high school yearbook price is $75.
- Based on quotes she received from regional companies easily found on the internet parents are paying 50% more than they should be for yearbooks across the country.
- Less than 5% of students on free and reduced lunch can afford to purchase a yearbook.
- Less than 50% of the student population can afford a yearbook this year.
Why is the price so high?
- It’s reported a high school yearbook representative can earn an annual commission upwards of $200,000 a year and this cost is passed on in the price of the book.
- The school’s yearbook pricing may not have been compared to other providers in at least three years.
- The decision makers, including the yearbook adviser, may have simply selected to stay with the status quo at the cost of tens of thousands of dollars to the parents rather than trying an alternative that may greatly reduce the expense.
- The administration may have never thoroughly reviewed the yearbook invoice or contract and probably has no idea this is happening in the school.
- 80% of the time the decision makers do not select the vendor with the most competitive price even if the final product is virtually the same quality.
- A standard practice in the industry is for the yearbook company to keep the school owing a significant balance on the yearbook year after year which forces the school to stay with the same vendor at much higher prices.
- The yearbook invoice received this year may be, on average, 20% more than agreed because of the “fine print”.
What can parents do?
- Bring this to the attention of administration.
- Ask to receive competitive bids and form a committee to evaluate each offer
- Make all parents aware of these issues that are costing them thousands
- Know there is a better alternative that may save more than 50% on the yearbook price for the exact same yearbook.
Boudreaux contacted yearbook providers throughout the country and found pricing for the same yearbook at 50% of the cost she was required to pay. “If the parents knew they were being overcharged in excess of $40,000 in some schools they would revolt, especially in this economy”, Boudreaux says. “Something needs to be done. Parents are victims and they need to step up and contact their school today and start asking questions”.