Sky high prices for school supplies Save Email Print
Posted: 7:16 PM Aug 6, 2008
 Last Updated: 11:00 PM Aug 6, 2008
 Reporter: KXII staff
Email Address: firstnews@kxii.com
28 comments
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ARDMORE, OK -- High gas prices and a hurting economy means making sure your student has all the supplies necessary could be costly. Robin Beal went to the store to see first hand just how much it would cost to buy school supplies this year. He talked to one shopper who estimated it would cost about $25.00 to buy supplies. Much to both of their surprise, it turns out the cost was actually nearly twice that price. Even so, it seems the older children get, the shorter their supply list and the less it costs.

The Salvation Army helps out when they can.

We’ve had more than usual because of the economy, but we haven't been getting a lot of donations in either so it's kind of hard on us, said Crystal Douglas with the Ardmore Salvation Army.

To donate supplies, they can be dropped off at any Salvation Army location. Any school will take new supply donations and teachers will distribute the materials to the students who need them.
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Posted by: Bryan Co Resident Location: Calera on Aug 11, 2008 at 10:04 AM
My point is that I can't believe how much school supplies have gone up. My child attends Calera and the list was the exact same for the pas 2 yrs. Last year I spent about $25.00 not including the backpack and gym bag. This year I spent $60 at Walmart not including the backpack and gym bag. They did not have the great sales they have had in the past. Someone I know who actually works at the Walmart in Durant told me to go to Denison or Sherman. They were much cheaper becuase they have competition where Durant doesn't. That's just not right. They should all be priced the same.
Posted by: SE Location: Bryan on Aug 10, 2008 at 05:13 PM
People from Texas quit whining, at least you don't have to pay State Taxes out of every pay check! Geeez!
Posted by: kelly on Aug 10, 2008 at 12:10 PM
i don`t dispute that they may need all the supplies on their list,,but it is pure B.S.that they have got to be a specific brand or bought at a specific place,,or tou are not allowed to put your childs name on them..i put my childs name on his anyway..they belong to my son,,not the teacher
Posted by: Reva50 Location: Ardmore on Aug 9, 2008 at 06:14 PM
It's not buying the school supplies that bothers me. Or contributing to fundraisers; kids do need extracurricular activities. But on top of school supplies and buying things for fundraisers, the schools are constantly (all year) sending home catalogs, brochures, etc. for charities. I feel the adult community should be taking care of these. I mail out letters every year for the Heart Association in my neighborhood, but now they are sending the little kids door to door for this too. And they set quotas for the kids - those that sell a certain amount get to go to a party, for example. Those that don't sell the quota, do not get to go. Believe it or not, this can be devastating to the smaller children. I know this is a little off the subject, but it just seems parents spend enough on school supplies and fundraisers without sending home kindergarteners with high pressure on them to get even more money out of the parents.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 9, 2008 at 03:20 PM
I don't think students or teachers should be expected to provide supplies for kids who do not have them. My parents were terrible with money (though they had a good living- about $100,000/yr between the two of them) and would not pay for my school lunches, my school supplies, and would only buy me used clothing at the 50% off sales at Goodwill... but I sure as heck didn't expect anybody else to provide those things for me either, and I would've been mortified if they had.
Posted by: Lynn Location: Sherman on Aug 9, 2008 at 08:42 AM
As a teacher myself this is a ridiculous argument. Parents be proud that you can do something towards your child's education. There are many parents who have lost children and would love to buy school supplies for them but no longer have a child to buy for. Take pride in being able to do something together with your child. Trust me no supplies are wasted in the classroom. Your children use all of them especially the Kleenex!!!
Posted by: teacher Location: Whitesboro on Aug 8, 2008 at 06:58 PM
As a teacher, I (and my coworkers) go through the list each year and we really do try to make them as small and affordable as possible. If I have "cabinets already overflowing with leftover Kleenex" then I take it off the list for the next year. Most of you would be amazed at the number of students that come to school with few or no supplies. As a parent and teacher, I do not have the money to purchase supplies for everyone. My best advice for you is to watch the sales - a lot of stores will run common supplies (such as pencils, folders, rulers, etc.) for a nickel or a penny and other stores will match those prices.
Posted by: teacher Location: sherman on Aug 8, 2008 at 02:06 PM
Free education? No, not in a monetary sense, but in availabity sense (hope that made sense). Go to other countries, I will take our ed. process over others any day. Don't believe everything you hear about how wonderful other countries ed.is. I will take ours. Yes, we do have flaws, but, every child in this country has the opportunity to go. Are there expenses to go, yes. But if your child chooses to be successful, it is worth it.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 8, 2008 at 06:59 AM
$25??? It cost me over $100 last year!!!! They had to have top of the line art supplies for art class!!! Art class alone cost $30!!!!! I only have one child in Tx.
Posted by: Ardmore Parent Location: Ardmore on Aug 7, 2008 at 05:11 PM
I have to say this because it is true, there are parents in this system that will send their kids to school without schools supplies and it falls back on the teacher or other students to give up some of their supplies for the kid that didn't bring their own supplies. My child as well as other students had to give up or share their supplies because a few other students didn't have supplies to work with during class.
Posted by: Whitesboro Mom Location: Whitesboro on Aug 7, 2008 at 04:15 PM
I did not get to finish earlier. Teachers are quick to send notes for other problems or needs. Divise a system to help parents know what their children need during the year and you may be pleasantly surprised at the response you get. Mr. Anonymous get a reality check and look to see what your so called free education really cost. And parents that allow and are able to let their children participate in extra-curiccular activities really pay. But for my kids it was worth it. Yes there were days I went without so my kids could have and I don't regret it one bit.
Posted by: disgusted Location: oklahoma on Aug 7, 2008 at 04:11 PM
anonyous at 11:42-Who are you kidding? There are numberous other dues and fees and charges and etc. Education is not free for middle & upper class children.
Posted by: Whitesboro Mom Location: Whitesboro on Aug 7, 2008 at 04:02 PM
Dear Anonymous, Since when did a public school education become free? Do you pay property taxes? I do and believe me the public school education is not free. Yes, $50.00 for school supplies if expensive especially if you have to buy for more than one child. Some parents simply cannot afford everything that these teachers seem to think they need. I have bought ziploc bags for my children to take to school and out of the two or three boxes that they take they may come back home with 12 bags thru out the year. I don't mind helping people that are truly in need as I have been there too. I have to start buying supplies and clothing for the next year as soon as I get the list for it. Everything is going up and I really think the teachers should respect that fact, as I know that they don't get paid much either. So there is not an easy solution to the problem. But how about sending a parent a note saying your child needs something and help spread it out.
Posted by: Diana Location: Davis on Aug 7, 2008 at 03:55 PM
I saw this report at 6 last nite. Robin mentioned at the end that the school supplies would have been cheaper last week end. Only problem is, in OK, only clothes are tax exempt...no school supplies.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: oklahoma on Aug 7, 2008 at 03:47 PM
EDUCATION IS NOT FREE!!!! When my children start school in a few days I am expecting a letter sent home to purchase t-shirts for them to wear on field trips that will be required in order for my boys to even go on the trips. Then there will be other letters sent home for more money needed not only for the school but for the class. As you get older yes, the list is shorter but then you have the class dues when I was in school mine were $50.00. If you did'nt have your dues paid then you could not get your diploma. What a mess!! Thanks for the free education!!! College is no different I did plan for that and I am still paying for it.
Posted by: Mom of two Location: Denison on Aug 7, 2008 at 03:41 PM
I'm sorry "Anonymous" but there's nothing free about public education. Who do you think pays the staff/school?
Posted by: Texas Gal on Aug 7, 2008 at 03:03 PM
It's not a free education, it costs something like $7,500 of taxpayer money PER CHILD per year for public school in the state of TX. I pay a couple thousand dollars a year in property taxes that go straight to the public schools that my children do not even attend.
Posted by: mamma Location: fannin on Aug 7, 2008 at 02:36 PM
I think the Gov. should give out rebate checks to everyone who have children in school every year for school supplies and clothes.
Posted by: Anonymous Location: Howe on Aug 7, 2008 at 02:30 PM
I'm not sure what store they shopped at or what grade they were shopping for, but $50 dollars is a bit extreme. I bought school supplies for a 2nd grader and I spent a little less than $20 & that was at Target. People are putting too much hype into gas & grocery prices. This story causes discouragement. Be thankful you live in a free country and not some god forsaken country!
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 7, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Free my a**..Look at you taxes....each year
Posted by: Sandra Location: Sherman on Aug 7, 2008 at 01:32 PM
The list is ridiculous.Not only do you have to have 6 of everything, "don't put your name on it". What is that all about? If I have to pay for it, I want my name on it!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 7, 2008 at 11:42 AM
$50.00 is still pretty cheap for a free education.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 7, 2008 at 11:39 AM
I hate school supply lists... it seems like they never use half the stuff they're required to have. Tell me, do teachers still require kids to bring 2 boxes of Kleenex, when their cabinets are already overflowing with leftover Kleenex boxes from previous years? (My kids are no in public school).
Posted by: me Location: tx on Aug 7, 2008 at 11:33 AM
The list gets shorther the older they get but the items on the list get more expensive!
Posted by: what Location: texas on Aug 7, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Gas is cheaper in OK. Funny when you across the Red River, gas is $.15-.20 cents a gallon CHEAPER than Texas. While the school supplies in Texas is cheaper. Does it make sense a 24 count box of Crayola Crayons is 22 cents at the Gainesville Wal-mart, but over 70 cents in Ardmore??
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 7, 2008 at 08:43 AM
OMG!!! This guy really sucks!!!
Posted by: disgusted Location: oklahoma on Aug 7, 2008 at 06:57 AM
Well if you have read the lists for some schools, you will note that some schools/classes require only Crayola brand crayons, as well as other brand name supplies. And you will also note that it's an unusual large quantity for some kindergarten students. And do you know why the quantity is so large? So that the parents who are actually willing to be responsible for their children can supply other children's "needs". The same goes for glue sticks, pencils, folders & etc. It's wrong! Parents who work & provide their children with things they "need" for school should not have to take care of other people's children. Times are hard for everyone! I am starting to think the state should govern school supply requirements and develop that list like the money was coming from their salaries & not ours. The money being spend on extra supplies is needed in our house for living expenses. Administrators need to check those lists!
Posted by: Republican in Ardmore Location: Ardmore on Aug 7, 2008 at 01:47 AM
I remember when I was in school the teacher would always take our supplies and store them in the closet and we all would use each other supplies. And if there were any left over at the end of the year the teacher would either keep them or throw them in the trash!
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