BAY MINETTE — As the Baldwin County School Board discusses its financial crisis, teachers around the area are forced to ask for more items from their parents — often putting a strain on what are already tight budgets.

In addition to normal back-to-school items, local supply lists now include things like all-purpose cleaner, reams of copy paper, multiple numbers of crayon boxes, glue bottles and boxes of facial tissue.

"It's crazy, it's ridiculous," said Lisa Palmer, whose step-son will begin second grade at Bay Minette Elementary School. "This is my first year buying school supplies and it was a big slap in the face to get that list."

Palmer said she is on a tight budget and feels some of the items asked for are unnecessary, so she will forego those items when making her purchases.

"If it doesn't go toward his well being and education, I'm not buying it," she said. "I'm not going to take away from my home to give what the schools should supply."

Palmer suggested the school board and teachers keep in mind the economy and how it is not only affecting the school system but families as well.

"They need to stand back and see what the world is going through," she said.

Tammy Palmer (no relation), mother of a first-grader at Bay Minette Elementary, said she feels this year's list will actually be less expensive for her family.

"They asked for a lot less this year," she said of her son's supply list. She said she plans on getting everything on her son's list, but said she is waiting until after the school’s ‘Meet the Teacher’ event, taking place this afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m.

"They usually have a list at Wal-mart, and a list from the teacher at the ‘Meet the Teacher,’" she said. "So I'm waiting until after that to get his stuff."

She said her son is being asked to bring Clorox wipes, paper towels and all-purpose cleaner, among other things.

She did agree that school is getting more expensive, especially the older students get, noting that one relative will be in eighth grade at Bay Minette Middle School and registration costs alone were $80.

"I have a niece going into 12th grade and she has the same thing," Palmer said.

Tommy Langham, principal at BMES, said he reviews all supply lists before they are publicized, and said he tries to limit what teachers ask for.

"I looked over the lists and actually scratched a lot off," he said. He said cuts from the board have made it necessary to ask for more from the parents, though he advises his teachers to keep in mind the burden it puts on parents.

"I try to tell our teachers to limit what they ask for, especially during these difficult times," he said. "We try to help parents out."

He said his school is not asking for as much as other schools, and said part of that is because of Title 1 funds. Schools that are identified as having a certain percentage of free and reduced lunches are deemed Title 1 and receive federal funds.

"Title 1 is not affected by the economy, but I can only purchase instructional supplies with that money," he said. "We make sure the kids are taken care of," he said.

Martha Rabon, principal at Pine Grove School, had a different story to tell.

"The teachers are not getting money they have received in the past," she said. She explained that the State Department of Education provides teachers with a stipend, known as the Instructional Supply Fund, of $200 to $500 to purchase supplies such as copy paper and other classroom items, but the Baldwin County School Board terminated those funds.

"They're not getting any this year," she said. She also noted that while they do ask for a lot, they don't expect a lot.

"If they get it great, but sometimes we don't get any of that," she said. "Anything we get we make do with."

She said parents often comment on how the school should be furnishing those things, and feel the school has the money to do so. Rabon said that is not the case.

"I have to spend a great portion of money just keeping the copiers running," she said. "One month of keeping the copiers running costs anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000."

She said functions where the school provides meals, such as the recent School Board work session, are not paid for by the board and are accomplished through the cooperation of teachers and parents.

"When we have events like that, Streets might donate some stuff, and teachers bring dishes," she said. "It appears that we are wealthy, but it's because everybody chips in."

As for why the board terminated the Instructional Supply Fund or what that money is now being used for, School Board Public Relations Coordinator Terry Wilhite could not be reached for comment.