A survey issued by the non-profit organization, AdoptAClassroom.org, which aims to fund teacher lessons and sustain an enriching learning environment for students, showed that teachers spent, on average, $750 last year in school supplies and resources for their classrooms. Though this sacrifice is often pushed aside and labeled as another faint-hearted “there-is-still-good-in-the-world” lesson, or regarded as a “generous” or “selfless” donation from devoted teachers, it poses better as an irrefutable representation of how district funding has failed both its students and its employees. 

Teachers, devoted or not, should not have to sacrifice a slice of their paycheck to provide an adequate learning environment for their students. 

This pay, in fact, while continuing to grow generously in the past 8 years, according to the CCISD 21-22 Budget Book, falls below the state average, $59,811, at $51,750. Meaning that not only do teachers spend their savings on something the district should provide, but they do so on a tight paycheck endowed by said district. 

School supplies are vital to the engagement of students, even in a technology-dominated classroom. Denying students access to materials such as pencils, markers, paper, or rulers simply because they cannot provide themselves with it, and undermining their struggle with a slap on the wrist and a “good students come to class prepared” mentality, sets the precedent that only privileged students show potential in the classroom. Students should not be at fault for their lack of funds any more than teachers should. 

Due to the district’s size, in respect to all of the schools overseas, it could be argued that the board just doesn’t have the sufficient funds for more supplies or a higher pay grade. However, surely if the district could afford flashy dances, parades, sports events and concerts throughout the year, it can afford to supply individual teachers and classrooms with a sum of money for the purpose of purchasing actual academic related material. After all, the purpose of public schools is to make use of taxpayer money to provide an efficient learning environment for students.

If the school district truly does value the academic integrity of its students, it should funnel money directly into the fueling of academic growth by providing additional student and teacher material.