SALT LAKE CITY — Educators often reach into their own wallets to buy school supplies because it’s the easiest way to get the things they need for their classrooms. Other teachers spend hours trying to get donations.
In Utah, public school teachers receive some money from the Legislature to buy school supplies. The state allocated $5.5 million in the latest budget for that purpose. Utah State Board of Education Public Relations Director Mark Peterson said there was enough money for each teacher to get about $164.48 this school year.
That amount can vary, however, because individual school districts and charters set their own policies. Some teachers get more money than others. In the Washington County School District, for example, K-7 teachers receive more than teachers in grades 8-12. Districts and charter schools can also provide more money to buy school supplies, on top of the state money.
In any case, for a lot of teachers the money they get from the state and from their school is not enough to cover classroom supplies, said Utah Education Association President Renée Pinkney.
Read the full story here: KUER.
Written by MARTHA HARRIS, KUER.
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