THE SHORTAGE OF EDUCATIONAL SUPPLIES

WHEREAS, school districts throughout the nation are economizing on textbooks, educational materials and supplies; and

WHEREAS, it is commonplace for teachers to spend hundreds of dollars of their own money to purchase supplies that had been the fiscal domain of school districts; and

WHEREAS, the Reagan administration budget policies have sharply reduced funds available to school districts that can be used for the purchase of these materials:

RESOLVED, that the AFT recognize the expenditures made by the classroom teachers and urge state education departments and school districts to give high priority of making available funds for textbooks and basic school supplies; and

RESOLVED, that we ask the AFT to explore programs whereby funds can be made available directly to classroom teachers so that they can purchase basic educational supplies and materials so important to providing excellence in education. (Executive Council)