Santa Rosa teachers spend their own money, rely on donations for classroom extras

MILTON — Michelle Hutson said she’s spent $800 of her own money on her classroom since May.

However, the third-grade teacher at Rhodes Elementary School said she doesn’t blame the school district for her out-of-pocket expenses.

As a teacher at a Title One school, Hutson said she doesn’t know an educator who doesn’t spend his or her own money on the classroom.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, provides financial assistance to local educational agencies and schools with high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families. This helps ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

“I don’t want to say the district doesn’t give us what we need … I never felt angry like, ‘You need to give us more,’” Hutson said.

She said she feels supported by Rhodes Principal Michele Barlow, and the district’s superintendent, Tim Wyrosdick.

Hutson said she has a $200 budget from the school for the year, but said Barlow gets her what she needs.

For example, she has a five-unit computer station but the regular classroom chairs were too short for students to comfortably use. Hutson said when Barlow stopped by her classroom, she noticed the problem and bought stools for the computer station.

“They're not unfunded,” Wyrosdick said. “I think a lot of teachers spend out of their own pocketbook to make their classrooms extraordinary. The basic necessities and beyond are provided. Any dollars they're spending are above and beyond.

“I’m not saying that's wrong. It’s cool they'd want their class to look amazing. They spend hours on their classrooms …”

While Hutson pays for numerous items in her classroom, she also relies heavily on donations. She said she keeps extra backpacks and other class supplies and even shoes.

Hutson’s not alone.

Many teachers get classroom extras from United Way of Santa Rosa County’s Cram-the-Van benefit. Hutson’s neighborhood, Ashley Plantation in Pace, also planned a back-to-school fundraiser and donated 50 backpacks to Rhodes.

Dr. Karen Barber, director of federal programs with the Santa Rosa County School District, said having the right school supplies is critical.

“That's how important kids having right tools are; as important as an accountant, physicians, emergency medical technicians, or architects all having the tools of the trade,” she said. “In order for kids to be prepared and ready, they have to be equipped with the right tools now.”

Hutson said adding colored bins, colored reading table stools and keeping the bulletin board the same theme are all about a comfortable atmosphere.

She also bought every book in her classroom’s four-shelf library as well as the green rug on the floor between them.

There’s a simple reason for all these extras.

Hutson said, “You spend many hours a day there. You want your area as comfortable and warm as you can. You want (the students) to say (the room) is fun and pretty.

“It’s important to make it fun and bright and pretty … If you weren’t comfortable, would you want to come here every day?”