Committee approves bill to reimburse teachers for school supplies

By Cy Ryan

Monday, May 25, 2015 | 11:33 a.m.

CARSON CITY — The Senate Finance Committee approved a bill today to reimburse teachers for school supplies they pay for out of pocket.

SB-133 allocates $2.5 million each year of the coming biennium to allow up to $250 for a full time teacher who buys items needed to perform their work. No money can go to administrators or part-time teachers.

School district officials and teachers endorsed the bill, which now goes to the full Senate.

The state Department of Education will disburse the money to local districts.

Witnesses testified that some teachers spend $1,000 of their own money to supplement the tools needed for instruction. Senate Majority Michael Roberson, R-Las Vegas, said this bill will determine where the state needs to money to help in education.