NYSUT United is launching a long-term project to track how much members spend on their students' needs, from school supplies and classroom materials to non-school related items. More than 100 NYSUT members answered our first poll question: How much of your own money have you spent on back-to-school preparations?
Cumulatively, members reported spending $12,000- $19,000 preparing for the new school year. One response came from Sarah Quinn, a member of the Shenendehowa Teachers Association. "I've spent $140 on paper goods and about $35 on classroom books so far. The budget my school gives me has shrunk from $200 to $50 over the last five or so years."
Be sure to check out our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/NYSUT United to answer this month's question: How much did you spend out of pocket in September. (Not into Facebook? Email your monthly expenditures to bsandber@nysutmail.org at the end of each month. Write "out of pocket" in the subject line.)