The Mississippi Office of the State Auditor said teachers from across the state have raised objections to a new requirement that classroom materials be purchased through ClassWallet.
The office said teachers told auditors that requiring purchases through a limited vendor platform severely restricts what they can buy for classrooms and undermines trust in teachers who oversee students eight hours a day, five days a week.
Teachers and the auditor’s office said the platform also diverts education dollars away from local businesses because funds can be spent only with a smaller pool of vendors, reducing the economic benefits for local communities.
The office said teachers reported the purchasing process is time-consuming and filled with bureaucratic hurdles, including additional administrative approvals for many items, which causes delays and extra paperwork.
The Mississippi Office of the State Auditor said those concerns need to be addressed immediately so teachers can focus on teaching rather than on how to pay for classroom supplies.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
