New School Supplies Dumped

MIDDLEBURG, FL -- A mom looking for boxes she could use to pack food for her church says she was shocked by what she found.

Tina, who asked us not to use her last name, says she went to a couple of Clay County schools this week in search of those boxes.

At Wilkinson Elementary, Tina says she found new chalk still in its boxes. She found bottles of brand new glue still wrapped up in its bulk packaging plastic wrap.

Tina has collected a stack of FCAT prep books, regular books along with flash cards and numerous other school supplies, some unused. She says she found it all in the school's dumpster.

"Am I shocked. It's disgusting. I'm appalled. It's ridiculous. We are wasting all these supplies."

Tina says she can't understand why someone would throw all the stuff away considering the tough economic times, where families are struggling to survive and teachers are being laid off.

Tina says what concerns her the most is what she says she spotted in the recycle bin at Clay Hill Elementary. "It was information cards. Student info cards from a classroom, with pictures, names, birthdates, address, emergency contact numbers and allergies."

Tina says she left the cards in the dumpster because she didn't want to get involved in an identity theft problem.

Clay County Schools told First Coast News, "We have discussed it with the administration. They are investigating at the schools to find out how this could have happened."

Darlene Mahla, the public information officer for Clay schools, says the District is concerned that Tina took the school supplies before she alerted the school to what she found.

"It breaks my heart. They would consider throwing this much stuff in the trash and not think twice."

Tina says she collected what she could and is donating the items to churches and other groups that work with under-privileged kids.

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