LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – School is just around the corner, and people are already making their way to the stores to do some back-to-school shopping.
The Kentucky Retail Federation says back-to-school shopping is the second busiest and biggest time for retailers. However, why do students and teachers need school supplies in the first place, and why is catching a deal so important?
“What you’re seeing is a lot of comparative shopping and shopping sales also going more store brand and generic items where they can,” said Steve McClain with the Kentucky Retail Federation.
The National Retail Federation predicts total back-to-school spending will reach nearly $39 billion.
McClain says they’re seeing people start their shopping earlier this year so as not to have a high upfront cost.
“People are spreading it out over several weeks instead of going one week or two days before school starts,” McClain said.
McClain says families with children in elementary through high school will spend roughly $850 on their school supplies and clothing. However, he says he is seeing retailers mark down some items.
“Retailers are kind of offering some pretty reasonable deals on those essential supplies kids have to have like crayons, paper, pencils those kinds of things,” McClain said.
However, at the end of the day, it’s still very costly, and as the president of the Fayette County Education Association, Jessica Hiler, says, there’s little to no workaround.
“Everything that we need them to do. Unfortunately, we can’t do that without pencils and paper and crayons and markers. Our schools have been chronically underfunded by our state legislature for years,” said Hiler.
For teachers, Hiler said they can spend upwards of $700 a year on supplies for their classrooms.
“Which is a large amount of money considering the pay that teachers receive,” Hiler said.
Hiler says schools can’t even provide the basics.
“Like tissues, we should be able to provide those things, but schools are stretched so thinly that they can’t, so then we have to ask our families,” said Hiler.
This is why, Hiler says, teachers need help from parents and provide a back-to-school list. She said that, for the most part, teachers are doing a good job of making shorter lists so as not to put too much pressure on parents.
“What teachers will typically do is put another list at the bottom, which is like a wish list. If you can, can you provide extra Sharpie markers? Can you provide Clorox wipes?” said Hiler.
Hiler encourages parents to take advantage of the back-to-school bashes schools offer, and if anyone ever finds themselves in a difficult spot, they can contact their school for help.
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