ASD attempts to ease burden of back-to-school supply cost

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The National Retail Federation is expecting to see lower back-to-school costs for households this upcoming school year for the first time since 2018.

From 2018 to 2023, the price of back-to school shopping — which includes items like school supplies, clothing, and electronics — increased by $205.28.

This year, the cost is expected to go down around $16, although the cost of school supplies alone is expected to increase slightly.

Toni Riley, senior director of diversity, equity, inclusion, and community engagement with the Anchorage School District, said returning to the classroom can cause financial stress on families.

“We know is a necessity that people need and this also makes them nervous about back-to-school,” Riley said.

To help with the cost of items this year, the district put on the 25th Back-to-School HUGSS event, in partnership with the Lutheran Social Services of Alaska. The partners passed out over $40,000 worth of free school supplies with a district goal to help 5,000 families.

“It’s very important that the kids start school [and] be able to start learning on the first day, and that includes having the proper tools that are necessary to learn in the classroom,” Alan Budahl with Lutheran Social Services of Alaska said.

One of those families was the Rice family. Iris Rice attended the event with her two sons.

“These events are very important to people with low-income families,” Rice said.

K-Lee Biscoaer, a mother of seven — including four school-age children — was also at the event. Each year, she said it seems like the cost of school supplies is increasing.

“At least $200 per kid,” Biscoaer said. “For just the beginning start of school supplies, backpacks, a weeks worth of clothes.”

According to the Federation, electronics and clothing are what make up the bulk of back-to-school costs. It also believes that households will pay $309.35 for computer-related items and electronics, in addition to over $420 for clothing, shoes, and accessories.

Families struggling to afford back-to-school supplies should reach out to their school principal, Riley said. Schools might have leftover supplies from the HUGSS event that might be able to be given to a student.

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