USA/School supplies—
By Mark Richarson, produer, Michigan News Connection, bureau of Public News Service.
Back-to-school season brings new classes, new routines and new bills.
This fall, many parents across the country face higher prices for supplies, clothes, food and transportation. The pressure hits especially hard in Michigan, where education advocates said a full school year will cost families close to $4,000 per child. Basic supplies cost about $175 and almost half of Michigan parents expect to borrow or cut essentials to cover costs.
Rep. Matt Koleszar, D-Plymouth, citing separate research from policy trackers, said families in the state carry the nation’s heaviest burden.
“The tariff policies coming out of Washington, D.C., have cost Michigan families roughly $5,619 per household. That puts us at the highest in the nation,” Koleszar explained.
Students feeling financial pinch
Despite pushback from business coalitions and consumer groups, the Trump administration vigorously defends its tariff approach with new actions this summer. Meanwhile, Koleszar says Michigan offers families one major break: free breakfast and lunch for every public school student, saving $850 per child.
Miguel Cardona, former U.S. Secretary of Education for President Joe Biden, along with Koleszar and other education advocates, held a virtual news conference through the group Defend American Action to highlight this issue. Cardona said the financial strain follows children into class.
“If your stomach is rumbling, it’s hard to concentrate, or if you lack access to healthcare and it’s because of the affordability of it and you have a toothache, for these children, that could mean the difference between engaging in school or disengaging,” Cardona pointed out.
Conference participants recommended making school more affordable for families by reducing the cost burden of supplies, meals, transportation and technology. They emphasized expanding universal free school meals, protecting food assistance such as SNAP and ensuring students have access to basic materials, laptops, books, healthcare and nutrition.
