KEITH POSTON: Legislators. Please put us out of business

Each fall families across North Carolina embark on back-to-school shopping. For some it is new clothes for their children. For most it includes buying school supplies. I was one of those kids who loved back to school shopping -- new notebooks, pencils, pencil pouch, backpack and, as an 80s kid, a Trapper Keeper – Google it!

Teachers also go back-to school-shopping. They’re not just taking care of their own children’s school needs, but also supplies their classrooms and students. The cost of these classroom supplies adds up quickly. Before the pandemic, North Carolina teachers reported spending an average $526 out of their own pockets.  This year a survey of Wake County teachers spending revealed it's now more like $900 a year.

In most occupations, employers provide workers with the copy paper, pens, or other supplies necessary to do their jobs. Yet that’s exactly what we expect from teachers, the one profession that makes all other professions possible.

That’s why with the help of the community and generous donors, WakeEd Partnership last year opened “Tools4Schools,” a free classroom supply store for Wake County Public School teachers. In just our first year we gave away more than $230,000 in new school supplies. Teachers are flocking to our store as we work to keep the shelves stocked and expand shopping days and hours to meet demand.

We are often asked why do teachers have to buy their own supplies, doesn’t the district provide them? Yes and no. The Wake County Public School System does provide supplies for each school. But it’s not nearly enough because the N.C. General Assembly does not adequately fund our public schools – dramatically cutting money for classroom supplies over the last decade.

In the 2008-2009 school year the state provided $87.4 million for classroom supplies to support 1.47 million students – about $60 per student. This school year the state allotted $47.4 million for 1.55 million students – $40 million LESS for 72,000 more students – only $30 per student. When adjusted for inflation the classroom supply budget is only 40% of what the state provided 13 years ago!

In Wake County, the local system provides each school $65 per student for supplies -- $30 comes from the state and the rest from local funds. The state portion used to be $70. No wonder Wake teachers flock to Tools4Schools, telling us it’s like Christmas!

It doesn’t have to be this way. It shouldn’t be this way. Our State Constitution requires the General Assembly adequately fund quality public schools. Yet it has chosen to cut funding and spend taxpayer dollars fighting to avoid the funding ordered by the NC Supreme Court’s Leandro rulings.

North Carolina can easily afford to fully invest to meet the Leandro plan that provides the minimum level for a basic quality education. State budget officials forecast a $3.5 billion revenue surplus for this year. We’re working with state Rep. Julie von Haefen, D-Wake, to at least restore classroom supply funding to 2008-2009 levels. The $82.34 million cost amounts to only 2% of the surplus.

Aren’t our children worth it? Our lawmakers know they don’t provide enough when it comes to education spending. That’s why there used to be a tax credit so teachers could deduct the cost of classroom supplies on their tax returns. They took that away too, just like the wildly popular tax-free back-to-school shopping days.

I’d be delighted for the General Assembly to put Tools4Schools out of business. Until then, Tools4Schools will be there so teachers can help meet all students’ needs.