Baldwin County Schools announces end of free school supplies

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ga. — The Baldwin County School District has provided free school supplies to students for the past several years. But from this summer, we say that things are changing. No more free pencils and free books.

That means Baldwin’s parents are already looking for deals.

Due to the expiration of the federal CARES Act, the district will no longer provide school supplies to students next school year.

Two weeks ago, a parent and family advocate from the Baldwin County Early Learning Center posted a Facebook post about this.

Now the parents are trying to figure out what the next steps will be.

Federal CARES Act funding supported these children and their families for three years during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The district announced plans to work with schools and community organizations to help students when school returns in August.

Noris Price is the superintendent of the Baldwin County School District.

“Even though it’s going to be a change, I think we’ll be fine,” Price said. “We definitely want to make sure our kids have what they need to be successful, so we’re going to make that happen, and I don’t want parents to worry.”

Price says they are doing everything they can, which includes partnering with the community and with parents.

“We started talking to our parents last year to let them know this was going to happen, but we also informed them this year that we won’t be able to provide school supplies,” Price said. “However, we have very generous community organizations and community members who will support our families.”

Ashley Broxton has two children, a second grader named Kelsey and a fifth grader named Madison at Lakeview Academy.

“I don’t think anyone should be worried, I’ll be completely honest,” Broxton said.

Broxton says when it comes to providing supplies for her children, she has no problem getting what she needs and attending back-to-school parties to get free supplies. But she also understands that it can be a financial hardship.

“I can provide supplies for my children, but I know some parents might struggle,” Braxton said. “Because I know firsthand, through my background and growing up in a poor area, I know that as long as we know the different opportunities that are out there in the community, we’re going to be OK.”

The school district says it works with local groups on a grade-specific school supply list to make sure kids get what they need.

This list will be ready by June 1st.