Leominster offers families free back-to-school supplies for all students through high school

The city of Leominster will be providing free school supplies for all its students through high school this coming school year.

“I think this is really about sending the message that Leominster and our school system is really aware of the needs in our community and the difficulties in having to choose between school supplies for the first day of school and maybe putting food on the table,” said Brandon Robbins, vice-chair of Leominster’s School Committee.

Back-to-School is a big business and the National Retail Federation expects this year’s end-of-summer shopping ritual to be the biggest one yet -- with U.S. consumers spending about $41 billion. That’s about 10% higher than last year and -- between clothes, notebooks and pencils -- amounts to about a $900 family expenditure.

Melissa Bible knows all too well how expensive this time of year can be for some families. She’s put three children completely through Leominster Public Schools; her fourth is entering Fifth Grade.

“Every kid wants a backpack, every kid wants first-day-of-school clothes,” she said. “Kids are growing... new shoes and new pants every time you turn around.”

Leominster won’t be paying for clothing or backpacks -- but stationery supplies and art supplies -- they will be covered. Bible said even that can make a big difference, especially for big families.

“It really does add up,” she said. “When you think you need paper for three or four kids, binders for three or four kids, folders for three or four kids.”

Bible, who was elected to Leominster’s school committee in 2020, said the community is home to many low-income families and English-language learners -- and that allowed for generous state funding through the Student Opportunity Act. Covid money is also contributing, with money set aside to waive activity fees for athletics, theatre participation and AP tests. Free breakfast and lunch will also be available for all students.

“We’ve wanted to try to provide equity and access to all our kids in Leominster,” Bible said. “It was actually teachers back in June who put this as a priority for the new school year.”

And with good reason. When students lack the supplies they need, teachers often pick up the tab. In fact, the federal Department of Education released a report two years ago estimating that 94 percent of teachers spent some of their own money on supplies -- with the average expenditure running about $500 per year.

“This kind of takes the burden off their backs to know they’re going to have all the supplies they need and are ready to go on Day One,” said Robbins.

With Day One fast approaching, stationery supply closets at the high school are well-stocked with plenty to go around... for this year.

But what about next year?

“I think it’s something that we’ll have to look at going forward,” said Robbins, who hopes the School Committee can find a way to make it work.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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