The Old ‘Teachers Out-Of-Pocket For School Supplies’ Canard Resurfaces

Several Detroit public school teachers recently asked parents to donate money to help pay for school supplies in lieu of teacher appreciation gifts.

That’s according to a recent Detroit Free Press story.

Michigan law, however, is clear that school districts must supply teachers with necessary supplies. The Detroit Public Schools Community District begins collecting $1.27 billion in new federal COVID-19 stimulus spending.

In a 2011 memo, the Michigan Department of Education spelled out the classroom supplies that school districts must provide to teachers and students, at no cost.

These include — among many other things — pencils, paper, crayons, scissors and glue sticks.

And the Detroit district did spend millions on school supplies in the 2019-20 school year.

For example, the district spent $3.5 million then on supplies at a firm called School Specialty. The district also spent $465,178 at Ricoh USA, $292,289 at Office Depot and $52,835 at Arrow Office Supply in 2019-20.

Michigan’s constitution requires that the Legislature “maintain and support a system of free public elementary and secondary schools as defined by law.” Courts have held that this responsibility includes providing classroom supplies.