Nonprofit Mississippi News Shad White, the State Auditor, has officially warned the Mississippi Department of Education that they are not following rules and spending. This is at least the sixth such warning since last spring. White wrote a letter to the governor in this instance. Tate Reeves, legislative leaders and White expressed concern that MDE forces local school districts to purchase technology only from certain companies or risk losing reimbursement. White wrote that he was concerned about the Mississippi Department of Education’s disregard of state law, making it harder for schools to buy technology from Coronavirus Relief Funds (CARES Act), as appropriated by the Legislature in an Aug. 24 letter. After the Mississippi Legislature passed the “Equity in Distance Learning Act”, many school districts have begun to purchase computers. This is because the COVID-19 pandemic forced many schools to switch to online learning. In a response to White’s allegations, Carey Wright, the state superintendent, called the letter “inaccurate” and said that it was devoid of any context. White explained in a letter that the department had created a list approved vendors to allow school districts to purchase laptops, and other technology items due to increased virtual learning. The list could be used to purchase equipment from approved vendors, or they could buy items from other vendors, provided that they meet certain criteria. White’s letter states that the MDE has determined that no school, regardless of whether they meet the criteria, may purchase technology from vendors not on the preferred list. They will reimburse the cost. The letter also states that “robbing districts off this flexibility will slow their ability to purchase computers for students who might need to learn at school.” My office has received multiple complaints from districts about this matter. Two districts informed us that purchasing from MDE’s preferred vendors will cost them tens of thousand of dollars more than what they would otherwise spend.” Department of Education officials discussed in detail how they selected vendors to provide technology to the state. The main questions were: Could the company deliver large quantities in a short period of time? Does the company have experience dealing with large orders such as this? And what was the company’s strategy for delivering thousands across the state? MDE responded to Tuesday’s press release by disputing that the agency was not allowing districts purchase devices from other vendors. MDE requires local school districts to show that the products meet or exceed the technical specifications and functionality of the MDE. Jason Dean, the chairman of the Mississippi State Board of Education stated that the legislation was intended to allow MDE to make use of its buying power to ensure that each school district is able to find a vendor capable of delivering computers within the timeframe set by law. “School districts across the country are experiencing delays in their computer deliveries because millions of people are trying to purchase computers simultaneously,” said Jason Dean, chairman of the Mississippi State Board of Education. White responded with documents and a press release that showed multiple instances where MDE had stated that districts couldn’t buy computers from other vendors than those approved by MDE. White replied that he was happy that MDE had reversed its course. Today, MDE issued a press release acknowledging that schools don’t have to purchase from MDE preferred vendors. Even though it meant they were called on the floor, I am glad that they changed their position. ”
I hope that this will allow school districts some flexibility in purchasing outside of MDE’s preferred vendor list.”