What I don't understand is why schools don't use existing resources.
I work for a school system and two things about ordering supplies (a) we are tax exempt and (b) we order office supplies already at a discount and (c) when ordering bulk supplies the cost is even lower.
Instead of having parents pay full retail + sale tax...
1. Parent's make a cash donation, which is then tax deductible.
2. All donations go to a PTA supply fund.
3. PTA compiles the purchase order to go to the school for supplies actually needed.
4. School procurement orders the supplies at a discount.
5. PTA distributes supplies from central receiving to the individual schools.
6. Staff collect what is needed for the classroom.
The only thing the parent should then have to pick up are items to be used individually by the student Backpack, headphones, etc and supplies they will keep at home and used on an as needed basis.
