Poll: Parents expect to spend more on school supplies

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Thousands of Valley students are heading back to class on Monday, including those who attend Fresno State. But first, it's time to tackle that school supplies shopping list.

At the Target in River Park, families are cleaning out every aisle to prepare for the fall.

"It's kind of a pre-holiday glimpse of what it's like when it's really busy; lots of moms, dads and kids getting ready for back to school," said Target Executive Manager Samantha Cole.

And like every year, teachers have sent out supply lists to their future students. But this year, a local economist says many kids are purchasing big-ticket items for the classroom.

"I got like new binders, and notebooks, and plus I got a new laptop," said student Araceli Mendoza.

In a SurveyUSA News Poll, 44 percent of parents say they're expecting to spend more money on school supplies this year than the last school year.

"I don't think that they're buying a lot more stuff," said economist Henry Nishimoto. "I think that they are buying much more expensive stuff; more iPads, laptops, more complex cellphones. So the needs of the students is changing."

Nishimoto says the back-to-school spending boost is an integral part of the nation's economy, but the financial burden isn't solely on parents.

"I had huge help with financial aid," said Mendoza.