Missouri Revised Statutes Title XI. Education and Libraries § 170.051. Textbook defined--school board to provide free textbooks in public schools--funds to be used

1. As used in this section, the term “textbook” means workbooks, manuals, or other books, whether bound or in loose-leaf form, intended for use as a principal source of study material for a given class or group of students, a copy of which is expected to be available for the individual use of each pupil in such class or group.

2. Each public school board shall purchase and loan free all textbooks for all children who are enrolled in grades kindergarten through twelve in the public schools of the district, and may purchase textbooks and instructional materials for prekindergarten students.

3. Each school board shall purchase from the incidental fund of the district all the new or used textbooks for all the pupils in all grades and preschool programs of the public schools of the district. The board may also expend incidental fund moneys to provide supplementary texts, library and reference books, contractual educational television services, and any other instructional supplies for all the pupils of the public schools of the district. All books purchased from district funds are the property of the district but shall be furnished, under rules and regulations prescribed by the school board, to the pupils without charge, except for abuse or willful destruction.