Parents and teachers expect to pay 8% more on school supplies this year

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- According to a Deloitte Back school survey, parents should expect to spend around $661 per child on school supplies and clothes this year. For teachers, they should brace for a rise in classroom supply prices too.

Tuesday, KRDO spoke with teachers who said it was common for educators to spend their money out of their own pockets every year to create a warm and inviting classroom.

Samantha Antonioni, a high school social education teacher, said she can't buy completely new supplies. Due to high costs, she'll have to re-use supplies from last year to decorate her classroom.

"I guess I'm not even focusing on making additions to the classroom compared to last year," said Antonioni.

Antonioni said she does her best to give her students the supplies they need; however, she said she has to ensure her own three children have everything they need for the school year.

"I'll go through and even get the 35 or 15-cent folders and notebooks. But this year, now they're like $0.50 and higher," explained Antonioni. "So I have to really focus on getting the kids stuff for my own children first," said Antonioni

Another Pueblo mom told KRDO she's also not looking forward to back-to-school shopping because of the high costs this year.

"It's going to be really expensive. It's going to kill me", said Shanel Cabrera.

Teachers told KRDO that they're always accepting donations to their classrooms all year round.

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