parent power  By Dr. Jo Lynne DeMary 

Supply Costs Aren’t Fees, But… 

Q. The supply list required for each of my children to start schoolthis year was mind-boggling. I must list the items required for my six-year-old, who is entering first grade this year, just so you can truly grasp my concern. 8 glue sticks, 1 box colored pencils, 4 packs #2 pencils–yellow (sharpened), 1 supply box, 1 pencil case with zipper (with holes), 2 highlighters (yellow), 2 large soft erasers, 3 packs white 3x5 index cards, 2 dry-erase markers (any color), 4 2-pocket folder– plastic with brads (3 prong), 2 red pencils, 1 small pencil sharpener with lid, 6 composition books (no spiral), 1 box washable markers, 1 ruler with 12 inches and centimeters At the bottom of the supply list, a donation request for tissues, liquid soap and various size baggies was also included. Why happened to the concept of a free public education? I have two older children and the costs of supplies escalate as the students move into the upper grades. Shouldn’t there be a law to address this?

A. I received several similar remarks, so clearly this is a concern shared by many parents. The 2006 General Assembly of Virginia responded to such concerns and established a back-to-school, weekend-long tax holiday to take place each year on the first Friday to Sunday period in August. A complete list of eligible items can be found at www.tax.virginia.gov. The matter of why schools don’t provide these materials for students is not addressed by this law. The State Board of Education (BOE) regulations state that no fees or charges may be levied on any pupil by any school board unless authorized by the BOE. Providing the supply lists for you to purchase the materials does not constitute a fee. The Associated Press ran an article a few weeks ago regarding a change in State Board policy in West Virginia stating that textbooks, paper, writing utensils and other materials that are an integral, fundamental part of the educational process must be provided free to all students. Perhaps we need to share that policy with Virginia’s state board.

Speaking of Sales Tax Holidays
From October 5 to 8, 2007, purchases of products meeting Energy Star qualifications, such as certain energy-efficient appliances, will be exempt from the Virginia sales tax. Eligible products must be priced at $2,500 or less for each item and be purchased for noncommercial home or personal use. See www.tax.virginia.gov for details.

Jo Lynne DeMary was Superintendent of Public Instruction for Virginia. As an educator for more than 38 years, she has held positions at all levels. She lives in Chesterfield.

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