New Jersey
OPINION: NJ’s school supply crisis: Why parents are left paying for basic classroom needs
3-minute read
With my youngest now a high school senior, it’s been a while since I had to make that early August trip to Staples with a school supply list in hand, hoping to snag those Spider-Man folders. But curiosity got the best of me, so I decided to see what today’s parents are up against.
I pulled up a fifth-grade supply list from a New Jersey school and bought everything on Amazon. The total? $106.70 — just for classroom essentials. That doesn’t include the backpack, school clothes, gym gear or winter wear like hats, gloves and boots. And forget about art supplies, sports equipment or renting a musical instrument.
Families with children in elementary through high school spend an average of $874 to prepare their kids for school.
What’s worse is that some of these items on the list aren’t even for the kids — they’re for the classroom. Disinfectant wipes, dry erase markers, erasers — parents are now expected to cover these, too.
And don’t even get me started on Sharpies — you can’t buy just one; it’s a four-pack or nothing. And really, does my kid actually need 72 Ticonderoga pencils?
This is what public education looks like in New Jersey today — parents are footing the bill for what should be covered by the schools themselves. And let’s not forget that many underpaid teachers already dip into their own pockets to cover other classroom needs.
When I partnered with the Morris County Interfaith Food Pantry as a collection site for their backpack drive, I never expected the flood of calls, emails, and visits it would trigger. For every one person who came to drop off supplies, five or six more showed up asking for help because they simply couldn’t afford what the school required.
And then there were the complaints — angry, baffled parents who couldn’t understand why, in a state that spends nearly $40 billion on education, with an average per-pupil cost of $26,970, they still had to buy basic classroom supplies benefiting all the students.
“Seventy percent of my taxes go to the local school, and they can’t buy a spiral notebook?” they asked, incredulous.
When families are driving 30 minutes to my office because they can’t afford school supplies, it’s clear we’re not dealing with just a lack of funds — we’re dealing with a crisis of misplaced priorities.
But not all hope is lost. Right down the road from my district office on Main Street in Chester, the local school board passed a novel idea: All supplies will be paid for and provided to every student this year, ensuring a “consistent educational experience.”
But to make this work statewide, we need leadership from Trenton. Education budgets are tight because of unfunded mandates, and many districts have suffered serious cuts in state aid. We shouldn’t just ask local taxpayers and parents to keep footing the bill — we need to shift that responsibility to the state.
Why not create a fund within the Department of Education specifically for school supplies? It could be financed by restraining the nearly billion dollars lawmakers add to the budget each year for their pet projects.
This is a commonsense fix that prioritizes students. It could also be a first step to finally fixing the more complicated broken education funding formula, which picks winners and losers among districts.
I remember the embarrassment I felt when I came to school without the supplies I needed. My father, a single dad raising three girls on public assistance, protested the “ridiculous” supply lists by sending us to school without them. I’ll never forget the pit in my stomach and the flush on my face when the teacher said, “Take out your …” and I had nothing to take out.
Those were not so different times, and I want to believe that in New Jersey — a state that prides itself on offering a world-class education for every child — no student will start the school year behind because they don’t have the tools they need.
We need a solution like providing school supplies, even if it means no more Spider-Man folders. It’s a small price to pay to ensure all children start the school year on equal footing.
Aura Dunn has been an assemblywoman since 2019. She represents parts of Morris and Passaic counties in the 25th Legislative District.
New Jersey is following the footsteps of New York City ahead of the world’s biggest sport event.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced that 770 free tickets will be available for New Jersey communities to FIFA World Cup events at New York / New Jersey Stadium.
Sherrill along with USMNT legend, the former pro player and New Jersey native Tony Meola, made the announcement Tuesday .
“We are excited to welcome the world to the Garden State for the World Cup starting this week and to be at the very center of the festivities, but we want the experience, first and foremost, to be accessible and affordable for as many New Jerseyans as possible,” Sherrill said in a statement, adding that the free tickets are “a once-in-a-lifetime chance to attend these matches.”
The free tickets was a joint effort over the past few weeks between the Governor’s Office, the FIFA World Cup 2026 New York New Jersey Host Committee, Uber, Hackensack Meridian Health, and Choose New Jersey to make sure that New Jerseyans had access to matches. Sherrill noted that the tickets are at no cost to taxpayers.
The 770 tickets are at no cost to Jersey taxpayers and will be distributed across five Group Stage matches and two Knockout Round matches hosted at the New York New Jersey Stadium — formerly known as MetLife Stadium — in East Rutherford.
The tickets were obtained by the Host Committee and will be distributed to community groups via Choose New Jersey.
“Over the past few weeks, we have worked closely with Governor Sherrill and corporate partners to secure additional tickets for the people of New Jersey,” Alex Lasry, CEO of the New York New Jersey Host Committee, said in a statement. “I’d like to thank the Governor for her leadership in ensuring that hundreds of New Jersey residents have the incredible opportunity to take part in this once-in-generation moment.”
According to the governor’s office, 500 free tickets will be given to New Jersey residents, including:
- New Jersey Youth Soccer players from underserved communities across the state;
- Families of New Jersey National Guard service members currently deployed overseas;
- Hackensack Meridian Health patients in the Make-A-Wish program; and
- Bergen County first responders helping support World Cup operations.
Additionally, 200 tickets will be given to:
- Frontline nurses and health care team members who serve New Jersey communities every day; and
- Pediatric patients, including children facing serious illnesses and their families.
Sherrill’s announcement comes mere weeks after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced 1,000 tickets will become available at $50 apiece as part of a lottery.
“To put that into perspective, that is five lattes in New York City,” Mamdani quipped from a bar in Harlem’s Little Senegal neighborhood alongside U.S. men’s national team forward Timothy Weah.
New Jersey
Sherrill, FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee Chief Executive Officer Alex Lasry Announce Over 750 Free Tickets for New Jerseyans for FIFA World Cup Matches – Insider NJ
The announcement was made at Hackensack University Medical Center, the Official Hometown Hospital of the NYNJ Host Committee. Governor Sherrill, U.S. Men’s National Team legend and New Jersey native Tony Meola, NYNJ Host Committee CEO Alex Lasry, Hackensack Meridian Health CEO Robert C. Garrett, Choose New Jersey CEO Amy Herbold, and representatives from Uber also unveiled a large-scale FIFA World Cup 2026™ mural commemorating the eight matches taking place in the New York New Jersey region, including the Final. The mural, displayed across from Hackensack University Medical Center’s Helena Theurer Pavilion, was created by Richard Tu, artist of the official New York New Jersey FIFA World Cup 2026™ Host City Poster.
“We are excited to welcome the world to the Garden State for the World Cup starting this week and to be at the very center of the festivities, but we want the experience, first and foremost, to be accessible and affordable for as many New Jerseyans as possible,” said New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill. “I’d like to thank the Host Committee, Uber, and Hackensack Meridian Health for providing over 750 free tickets to New Jerseyans who deserve a once-in-a-lifetime chance to attend these matches. I will always fight to ensure that no New Jerseyan is left behind.”
“Over the past few weeks, we have worked closely with Governor Sherrill and corporate partners to secure additional tickets for the people of New Jersey,” said Alex Lasry, CEO of the New York New Jersey Host Committee. “I’d like to thank the Governor for her leadership in ensuring that hundreds of New Jersey residents have the incredible opportunity to take part in this once-in-generation moment. And I’d like to thank Uber and Hackensack Meridian Health for stepping up to help us deliver these tickets. Working together through a public-private partnership, we are ensuring that the benefits of the World Cup flow to every corner of our region.”
“New Jersey will be at the center of the world’s biggest sporting event, and Uber is proud to partner with Governor Sherrill, the NYNJ Host Committee, and Choose New Jersey to help make sure more residents can be part of this once-in-a-generation moment,” said Adam Blinick, Heads of U.S. & Canada Public Policy and Communications at Uber. “These tickets will give families, young soccer players, service members’ loved ones, first responders, and patients the chance to experience the excitement of the FIFA World Cup 2026 firsthand — and we’re grateful to help open that door for communities across the Garden State.”
“Hackensack Meridian Health is proud to support Governor Sherrill, New Jersey and the NYNJ Host Committee in bringing the excitement of the World Cup to fans, including some of our patients and team members,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. “As the closest Level 1 trauma center to the stadium, our team members have been actively preparing to support the complex medical and safety operations for an event of this magnitude. Their expertise is the foundation of our medical readiness, and their compassion will ensure our communities and visitors are safe and cared for. We are proud to celebrate their commitment by providing them with an opportunity to enjoy the World Cup in person.”
“Our doors are open, and our teams are ready,” said Lisa Tank, M.D., President and Chief Hospital Executive of Hackensack University Medical Center. “As an ACS verified Level 1 trauma center and one of the nation’s busiest emergency departments, the teams are always response and emergency preparedness ready. On an ongoing basis the team is running drills, and looking at staffing and available interpreter services — to ensure that every World Cup visitor receives the high level expertise focused on safety, quality and compassionate care that all are communities receive. It is a privilege to share the joy of the World Cup with our patients and team members.”
“I’d like to thank Governor Sherrill for her leadership in ensuring that the benefits of the World Cup benefit our residents,” said Amy Herbold, President and CEO, Choose New Jersey. “Choose New Jersey is honored to partner with the Governor, the NYNJ Host Committee, and Uber to help distribute 500 free tickets to community groups throughout our state. These efforts will give New Jersey fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend a match and take in all the World Cup has to offer.”
Today’s announcement reflects a collaborative effort over the past few weeks between the Governor’s Office, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ New York New Jersey Host Committee, Uber, Hackensack Meridian Health, and Choose New Jersey to ensure that New Jerseyans have access to the matches – at no cost to taxpayers. The announcement follows $3.6 million in funding that the Host Committee is providing the Sherrill Administration to support transportation costs associated with the World Cup.
The 770 tickets announced today will be distributed across five Group Stage matches and two Knockout Round matches hosted at New York New Jersey Stadium, ensuring that the benefits of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ reach communities across New Jersey. The tickets were secured by the Host Committee and will be distributed to community groups via Choose New Jersey.
As New Jersey prepares to welcome the world, this initiative helps ensure that the people who serve our communities, inspire our future generations, and represent the very best of the state have the opportunity to experience the FIFA World Cup 2026™ firsthand.
Supporting New Jersey Families and Communities
Through a collaboration between the Governor’s Office, the NYNJ Host Committee, Uber, and Choose New Jersey, 500 tickets will be distributed to New Jersey residents, including:
MAPLE SHADE, N.J. (WPVI) — The Philadelphia skyline and several landmarks were lit up in blue Monday night to support a 12-year-old boy from South Jersey who remains in critical condition after a baseball injury.
Buildings across the city – including sites in the sports complex and the Ben Franklin Bridge – glowed blue in honor of Xavier Taylor, who was struck in the neck by a baseball during pregame warmups with Maple Shade Youth Baseball last month.
RELATED | Ben Franklin Bridge lights up in honor of 12-year-old baseball player critically hurt before game
The show of support has spread far beyond Philadelphia.
Residents across the region and around the country have worn Xavier’s No. 6 jersey, placed baseball bats outside their homes, and lit blue porch lights to stand in solidarity with the young athlete.
The boy’s father says there are signs of progress. Xavier is no longer on blood pressure medication, his vital signs are stable, and he is receiving nutritional care.
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