Mississippi auditors, teachers criticize ClassWallet purchasing requirement
The Mississippi Office of the State Auditor and teachers across the state criticized a new requirement that classroom materials be purchased through ClassWallet, saying the policy restricts teacher choice, diverts funds from local businesses and creates administrative delays, the auditor’s office said in a Facebook post.
The office said requiring purchases through a limited vendor platform “severely limits” what teachers can spend their funds on and undermines trust in educators who oversee students for eight hours a day, five days a week, the post said.
Auditors also said the platform shifts education dollars away from local businesses because teachers can use their funds only with a smaller pool of vendors, reducing the economic benefit to local communities.
The post said the purchasing process is time-consuming and requires additional administrative approvals for many items, leading to delays, extra paperwork and what the office described as unnecessary bureaucracy. The office urged that these concerns be addressed so teachers can focus on teaching rather than worrying about how to pay for classroom supplies.
ClassWallet is a digital vendor platform used by some school systems to manage purchasing and funds. This is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.
