Publishers Pen: School supplies aren’t necessary, but greatly appreciated

We have been helping get the information out that School District 193 (public school) had no school supply list required by parents this year. There has been the shout of hooray and also the question of where the funds came from and of course some Negative Nelly comments too. My first thought was one of being thankful AND remembering that more is never too much and I reached out—the question to Superintendent James Gilbert on where the funds came from. "This was the result of a lawsuit "Joki Lawsuit" that started in Meridian a few years back and eventually included all the Idaho school districts. The challenge was that in the Idaho Constitution it refers to "Free Public Education". " The case was decided on the side of the plaintiffs and state school districts have been coming into compliance with the decision on what could and could not be charged. There is a lot to read and understand about the lawsuit itself but I going with the simple and easy answer. Gilbert stated that "Our district along with the board of directors have simply "rearranged" in the budget the annual funds they receive from the state to pay for the classroom supplies needed. Please keep in mind these are the basics". Gilbert went on to explain "that there was a misunderstanding with some of the schools the last couple of years, continuing to put out a supply list that was not required". This year they have found every list out there and made sure they were no longer available.

Now I must say that I continue to believe that it takes a village to raise our children and grandchildren into the productive adults and decision makers of our and their future. The funding that the district receives has dwindled over the years and districts have to make do with what they are given. When it comes to budgets and spending expenses it comes down sometimes to "robbing Peter to pay Paul." I get it, I practice it. I would ask that we take the positive side of this - that the district is hard at work making sure that they are providing what they are required to but I also say again, more is never too much. If we see those prices coming down to pennies in school supplies grab them if you can. Making a donation to our children's needs is never a bad thing. Remember when getting the backpack, and parents or grandparents going shopping with their kids to get their supplies was part of the annual adventure? Do it anyway if you can. I know in my family it was a tradition with my mom and now we are up to my great-grand kids too someday. Do what you can, remember that you don't have to and again be thankful for the teachers and administrators that are a part of our children's lives five days a week here pretty quick.

Lets say thank you and be proactive rather than reactive all the time. Be involved.