Posted on 07/31/2013 2:22:05 PM PDT by MichCapCon
Every year, public school districts in Michigan request classroom supplies from parents. But few seem to know that these items are not mandatory — state law requires them to be provided by districts.
Some parents in the Standish Sterling School District received a flier from three fifth-grade teachers listing a half dozen “necessary items” their children would need and another five “optional items.”
In Michigan by law, the school district is responsible for supplying students with necessary supplies. The state Supreme Court ruled that this includes basic school supplies.
Standish-Sterling Superintendent Darren Kroczaleski said he checked into it and the list was sent out by the teachers because they receive requests from parents and organizations looking to donate supplies and want to know what is needed.
“It was more of a FYI, ‘if they are going to purchase it …’ ” Kroczaleski said.
Krocaleski said he wasn’t aware of any letter sent out with the flier explaining that it wasn’t mandatory for parents to purchase the “necessary” items on the list.
Audrey Spalding, education policy director for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, said it’s not uncommon for school districts to send out ambiguous communications about purchasing school supplies.
“Parents should know they are not required to purchase their children’s school supplies,” Spalding said. “The law requires schools to provide school supplies.”
MLive reported this week that a national retail survey found that all-new school supplies can cost between $161 and $330 for students, depending on grade level.
Thanks for the suggestion. That sounds like something my boys would like.
As I said, I was raised in Detroit and went to the Detroit Public Schools. My oldest sister had to buy her text books through at least one year of high school. (I think she graduated in '69.) After that, the district supplied them. They also supplied you with cheap paper and pencils. The paper deteriorated if you tried to erase anything and the erasers on the pencils were horrible. We always bought our own supplies and were not forced to do the communist pooling of resources.
Not heartless at all! I’ve had students unable to take Scantron tests because they had no pencils. I put pens and pencils in a community jar when I find them on the floor, but I refuse to supply them to “economically disadvantaged” students who dress better than me. I had a student flip out on me one test day because there were two pencils, my pencils, on my desk and I refused to give him one. His mama came in and complained, but I stood my ground. I require one novel per school year that costs about $8.00, but many copies are also readily available through our public library system. Last year about 20 students simply did not get the novel. I also refused to give them special treatment. I feel like Dagney Taggart, where I’m not yet at the point whe I can go Galt. I still think I can make a difference.
They are some of my very favorites to read to my kids. Clean, advanced vocabulary, interesting and nature. What could be better??? :D
I never minded buying some items for my kids’ classrooms when they were little. They grew up in a poor rural school where the teachers needed the help else they spent out of pocket. I probably wouldn’t do it today - let the bloodsucking teachers union pay for it - that’s less they have to give Ohomo.
OMG, I forgot about hand sanitizer! 5 pumps of it per pupil!
And, /rant off or not, I enjoyed your insight!
My boys would like some swordfights, I’m sure.
< high-5> to you!
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