DeSantis announces lawsuit against textbook publishers over alleged overcharging

Governor Ron DeSantis has announced legal action against textbook publishers McGraw Hill and Savvas Learning, alleging that they overcharged Florida school districts for instructional materials. The lawsuit, filed by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier at the governor’s direction, claims the companies violated state law and deprived schools of important resources.

“Florida continues to lead in education because we stand up for schools, students, and taxpayers,” said Governor DeSantis. “Textbook publishers that exploit Florida school districts must be held accountable, and I commend Attorney General Uthmeier for bringing this action.”

Publishers who wish to have their textbooks approved in Florida must agree to automatically lower prices if reductions are made elsewhere in the country. According to state officials, McGraw Hill and Savvas Learning did not honor this agreement.

The attorney general’s complaint cites more than 5,900 instances of alleged overcharges. One example is an overcharge of more than $279,000 to the Osceola County School District. Another instance involves a textbook sold at a discount to Miami-Dade County Public Schools but at higher prices in nine other districts, resulting in aggregate overcharges exceeding $250,000.

“Our lawsuit exposes a textbook case of corporate greed—companies charging Florida schools more than law allows, pocketing the difference, and sticking taxpayers with the bill,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Florida will not be a playground for deceitful profiteers who think they can cheat our students and teachers. We will make sure they pay back every dime and face the full consequences under the law.”

State officials say the legal action aims to ensure fair pricing for textbooks and return millions of dollars to schools and taxpayers. It also seeks stronger protections for students.

“Florida districts, teachers and students deserve better than textbooks filled with ideological content sold at inflated costs,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “That’s why we’re building an English language arts curriculum developed in Florida, for Florida’s students with a focus on lower costs, foundational learning, academic integrity, and factual content.”

The state recently invested $3 million to develop a new English Language Arts curriculum for elementary schools that aligns with state standards and aims to remove ideological bias from classroom materials.