From 2010 to 2013, the overall cost has increased by 22 percent for elementary and high school supplies, and 40 percent for middle school.
“Overall, we’re seeing a little bit of an increase. We see an increase both in the product and in the packaging because of the paper goods going up. We’re seeing a lot of paper products go up. ” said Sheryl Brooker, manager of F&S School Supply in Kettering.
She said teachers, parents and students are already shopping for supplies.
The Huntington list included numerous items not listed on the supply sheets for several area schools, lowering the prices significantly.
At Dayton Public Schools, the prices of general supplies for kindergarten through eighth grade are less than $70 per student; Bellbrook Middle School’s sixth-grade list was less than $80 and Kettering Middle School’s sixth-grade supplies cost $127.
For Krista Michener, a Kettering resident, having to buy supplies for five children adds up to “quite a lot.”
Michener said she was frustrated teachers require more expensive name-brand products be bought for class.
“I think they could be more thoughtful and work with parents on those parameters,” Michener said.
Elizabeth Green, a Middletown resident, said she expects to pay between $40 and $50 in supplies for her two sons, one in elementary school and one starting high school, plus $30 in school fees.
She said that higher priced items include markers and erasers, but she’ll also have to buy unexpected items like paper towels and monthly snacks.
Andrea Hurst, a Springboro resident who teaches kindergarteners in Kettering, said the prices of supplies have gone up over the years.
“Crayola prices went up from 20 cents to 50 cents,” she said.
Most items on the Backpack Index had increases. The price of a pack of Number 2 pencils went up 70 cents and the cost of 12 blue, black or red pens jumped from $1.40 to $6.49.
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