The Mississippi Department of Education’s Chief Operating Officer, Kim Wiggins, outlined efforts to resolve problems with the new ClassWallet system for purchasing classroom supplies. The change was prompted by issues including more than $1 million in excess expenditures under the previous credit card system, Wiggins said during a state Board of Education meeting.
Wiggins explained that nearly $25 million is allocated annually for classroom purchases, supporting about 32,000 teachers with roughly $748 each. The prior system lacked spending caps and had an inadequate call center, leading to difficulties in resolving issues. As a result, the department had to recover approximately $1.7 million in overages.
Teachers faced delays and challenges with the previous system, including late card distributions and limited real-time account access, which caused concern about overspending. The department transitioned to ClassWallet to provide real-time balances and streamline reimbursements. Vendors like Amazon and Staples are approved, with Walmart purchases eligible for reimbursement.
Transition challenges remain, including the department having to manually distribute 32,000 cards from its office. Some teachers also encountered problems accessing virtual training sessions due to a Zoom cap, though Wiggins clarified that attendance was not mandatory and a recorded video is available online.
As of Thursday, about $2.16 million of the $25 million allocated funds have been spent. The department is expanding the list of approved items based on teacher input, and vendors are being added upon suggestion. The new system also allows pre-approval of purchases, reducing reimbursements and unapproved expenses.
Wiggins highlighted added benefits, such as approval prior to purchase and increased transparency, which have led to the inclusion of items like nesting stools and sensory lamps. The department is working to add other necessary supplies, especially for career and technical education classes. Teachers have until April 2028 to spend their allotted funds, and officials continue to improve access and vendor options, with an emphasis on supporting local businesses.
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
