NEW YORK—Teachers face a harsh lesson as inflation drives up the cost of everything from paper to pencils before the school year begins, leading some to cut back on supplies—or substitute with cheaper items.
“If you ask any teacher, Ticonderoga pencils are it,” said Kristina Eisenhower, 35, an instructional facilitator. Yet a 12-pack of that popular brand costs $3.99, up nearly 25 percent from a year ago, on Amazon.com Inc.
