Teachers Dig Deep in Their Own Pockets for Classroom Supplies

PALM BEACH COUNTY-- More than 12,000 educators who teach in Palm Beach County are back in the classroom getting ready for their students to return next week. Many are going the extra mile to make sure kids have all the learning tools they need.

At Stop, Look & Learn, a supply store for teachers business is booming!  The line at the register is long. And many teachers here pay for classroom supplies with their own cash.

"Last year I spent $4000 dollars on my classroom," said Monica Perez a teacher with the Palm Beach County School District.

The owner of "Stop, Look and Learn" says the average teachers spends hundreds dollars from their own pockets every year.
And nothing here comes cheap. We're told teachers are spending the same as always, but just not getting as much as they used to.

"They spend out of pocket for somebody else's kids every year and they do it cheerfully," said Dana Aksomitas who owns the supply store.

For Laura Segal, a veteran teacher of more than 33 years, purchasing supplies with her own money is nothing new.
Teaches say they're in need of important learning tools their classroom stipend just won't cover.

"I have the same supply money I had 30 years ago," said Segal.

In Palm Beach County...that stipend is approximately $100 bucks.  For teacher MKary Miller that means spending much more.

"I want my kids to have what they need, so I do whatever I have to do to get it, says Miller.

School starts in Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River Counties on Monday, August18th. Okeechobee County schools will resume on August 20th.