Summer Break: What’s Yours to Keep, and What Stays at School?

It’s almost summertime—but before you can fully enjoy your break, you’ll likely need to pack away your classroom supplies, books, artwork, equipment, and furniture. You may be wondering what you can keep for personal use, what needs to stay, or whether certain items can be relocated within or outside of your school district.

Before packing anything up, you’ll want to confirm whether an item belongs to you or is school property. Understanding ownership now can help avoid confusion or even trouble later.

Generally, there are a few steps you can take to ensure students and your employer keep enjoying school materials while keeping your personal property, professional name, and educator certification safe.

You’ll want to consider how you received specific equipment and school supplies:

1. Did you receive items as part of school allocations for the use of your classroom?

   These items belong to the school. Any emails or receipts showing school monies spent on items are proof the items belong to the school.
   
   

2. Did you receive any items from solicited or even unsolicited donations on behalf of the school?

   Such items, including anything donated as part of a teacher wish list, also belong to the school. A donor or fundraiser email or other documentation noting that items were given on your behalf in your role as a school system employee are proof the items belong to your school.
   
   

3. Did you pay for the items out of your own pocket or bring them to your classroom from home?

   These items are yours to keep and return home, unless you previously gifted them to the school as part of a specific donation solicitation. As a precaution, it’s wise to keep a running list of such personal items and any receipts to prove they are indeed yours. Otherwise, your district may consider them a donation to your classroom, school, and school system.
   
   

4. Did you create lesson plans, contribute to school projects, or develop other curriculum-related items or documents?

   If you created them while employed for the school district, then these likely belong to them.
   
   

5. Still not sure?

   If the answer is not clear on how you came to possess school supplies, equipment, or furniture, please check with your campus administration on how to handle keeping, storing, or redirecting such items. Your campus administration can also check in with central office administration, if necessary.

As a Texas educator, you must uphold the Educators’ Code of Ethics, which include the following standards:

• Standard 1.2. The educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly misappropriate, divert, or use monies, personnel, property, or equipment committed to his or her charge for personal gain or advantage.
• Standard 1.4. The educator shall not use institutional or professional privileges for personal or partisan advantage.
• Standard 1.7. The educator shall comply with state regulations, written local school board policies, and other state and federal laws.

Some educators get into trouble moving a piece of furniture from one campus to another or taking an item home. When in doubt, please seek written confirmation from your campus administration. While this process may take a little more time, you’ll have peace of mind knowing everything was handled appropriately.

So, before you sign off on those inventory lists, make sure you have sorted out what stays and what goes. Then, with everything squared away, you can begin enjoying the start of your summer with confidence and a clear conscience.

Let’s not let honest mistakes ruin a well-deserved summer break!