The office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction recently released data showing that more than 27,000 students in our state were homeless last school year.
Officials attribute the huge increase to improved school district reporting, job losses in our area brought on by a decline in the logging industry, as well as the overall flat economy.
Superintendent office spokesperson Nathan Olson says that while the numbers are high, the state receives about $1 million to provide books, supplies and tutoring to homeless students.
Olson also says the funding pays for transportation to and from school, which is the type of assistance homeless students need the most.
