California teachers lose tax breaks for classroom supplies

[Kadie]

California teachers lose tax breaks for classroom supplies

The Associated Press
Last Updated 8:36 am PDT Sunday, August 15, 2004

LOS ANGELES (AP) - California teachers may have to scale back their out-of-pocket spending on classroom supplies after losing state and federal tax breaks that helped lower their costs.

The state Teacher Retention Tax Credit repaid educators up to $1,500 in taxes to cover some expenses but was suspended last month under the state budget plan. At the same time, a federal tax deduction for up to $250 for teachers' extra expenses expired this year.

With school budgets already tight, some worry that halting the tax breaks could prompt teachers to ration their spending on glue, crayons and other supplies or boost their expenses.

"It is a miracle what our teachers are doing every day," said Barbara Kerr, president of the California Teachers Association. "They spend thousands of dollars in their classrooms." The tax benefits' end, she suggested, represents "a tax increase for teachers."

A survey conducted by the United Teachers Los Angeles indicated its members spent on average nearly $1,050 of their own money for school supplies last year. Teachers across the country spent an average of $458, according to the National School Supply and Equipment Association.

more...
http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/10386841p-11306514c.html

[bluestateguy]

1. That is such bullshit

If I was a teacher in California public schools I would send a letter to the school and the parents of my students indicating that because of lack of funding there will be no classroom supplies unless either the school district or the parents contribute. Teachers are much too underpaid to expect them to incur this kind of expense. Funny how when conservatives talk about the need to keep taxes low, these never seem to be the kinds of tax breaks they have in mind.

[Xithras]

8. My wifes method...

My wife used to spend $400 to $500 a year on school supplies until I put my foot down...we just couldn't afford it any longer. Instead, she now sticks Post-Its on her whiteboard on back to school night, each labelled with one item she needs. She points it out to the attending parents and urges each to buy at least one item, more if they can afford it. She then points out that any supplies that aren't purchased will NOT be available to the students. When the parents see that the list includes basics like pencils, crayons, tissues, and even PAPER, the parents almost always shell out what they can.

Only once has she had a class where the majority of parents refused to buy supplies, and that situation was corrected when the kids started going home with snot on their sleeves because she ran out of tissues and told their parents stories about having to share pencils because they were down to ten pencils in a 12 child classroom. One parent piped up on back to school night that the schools got plenty of money from him and that he wouldn't be buying a thing, and the rest sheepishly followed his example. It's amazing how quickly the parents turned around when faced by their own snot covered children.

[Cha]

2. My sister here in New York spends money out of

her pocket for school room supplies. Not sure if they get tax breaks for it or not.

This doesn't sound good for all the teachers and students in California.

[L.A.dweller]

3. But as long as there are tax breaks for owners of SUV's

and other gas guzzeling vehicles there's no problemo!!

[young_at_heart]

4. It used to be a good place to teach.....Prop. !3 ruined everything

As a retired elementary teacher from LA County I feel deep sympathy for today's teachers.....it has gone from bad to worse!

[slackmaster]

6. A late uncle of mine was a teacher in LA County as well

He was a very liberal Democrat and often told sad tales about falling levels of funding, but he also complained about ever-increasing behavior problems in class. He said that by 1985 it was just about impossible to teach because of all the disruptions.

[slackmaster]

5. No teacher should ever have to foot the bill for supplies

The system is broken.

[young_at_heart]

7. I used to spend $500-$800 a year

I didn't "have" to do this, but if I wanted up-to-date and creative materials, I had no choice.

[LWolf]

9. I have always purchased supplies.

When you include professional materials, books, and basic student supplies, my expenses range from $1,000 - $2,000 a year.

I am always conflicted over this; part of me knows that if I continue to foot the bill, the dept of ed never has to. The other part of me--the perfectionist--doesn't want to do the job at all unless I can do it well. Part of doing it well is having the appropriate tools and resources available.

I may try the post-its mentioned at back to school night this year. I've already spent about $300 on start-up supplies this summer; by BTS night I'll have a good idea of what other stuff we'll need.

Apparently, I need to contact my tax man!