Auditor urges EEF funds available before teachers’ professional development

State Auditor Shad White said teachers should have access to their EEF classroom supply funds before they return to school for professional development days.

The Mississippi Department of Education confirmed to the auditor’s office that EEF cards will be activated on July 15. White’s office said that is progress from last year but noted more than 1,200 teachers will already be working in their classrooms before that date.

Analysts in White’s office compiled a list of five school districts with professional development dates before July 15: Ambition Prep Charter School, 34 teachers, July 6; Clinton Public School District, 337 teachers, July 13; Petal School District, 333 teachers, July 13; McComb School District, 151 teachers, July 13; and Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District, 352 teachers, July 14. The office said 1,207 teachers and 16,974 students are affected across those districts.

The auditor’s office said it will continue to monitor whether teachers have access to the funds by July 15 and urged state and local officials to ensure the money is available before the school year begins. We will provide more information as it becomes available.