Jacksonville-area teachers spending own money on school supplies

With school starting in a matter of days, Jacksonville-area teachers are spending hundreds of dollars of their own money on school supplies.

On Monday, businesses in Clay County came together to help teachers stock up on supplies before heading back to the classroom.

Action News Jax stood in line with Ridgeview High School art teacher Kathleen Rich while she waited for her turn to load up on free school supplies.

“I spent about $500 out of my own pocket last year,” Rich said.

That’s on top of the $250 art teachers — and others in Clay County — get each year from the district.

Clay County Superintendent of Schools Addison Davis told Action News Jax that a new plan is in the works to find more money for teachers.

Davis says the district will use the first month of the new school year to see what items teachers use most.

“We want to make certain we go to find the actual needs in supplies to function on a daily basis,” Davis said.

For now, teachers like Rich are stocking up here — thanks to an event put on by the Clay County Chamber Foundation and local businesses ——- so they can keep more of their own money.

“That’s why I came this year,” Rich said. “[To see] if i can nip it in the bud.”

Cox Media Group