Why We Don’t Have the Technology we Need « Ennaxor314’s Weblog
April 11, 2008 
Why We Don’t Have the Technology we Need « Ennaxor314’s Weblog
« Great Post on CheatingWhy We Don’t Have the Technology we Need
I have long been frustrated with the bereaucracy of school supplies. This post highlights one part of that. Another part, having nothing to do with computers, is simple supplies like scissors. I can buy good quality scissors for my students for $1 a pair at a local store. I cannot use my classroom budget to do so, however. In order to use my classroom budget, I must order the scissors from a catalog for $7 a pair.
I wonder just how many teachers there are out there that can echo your feelings on this! Set aside the technology…..I think it is beyond ridiculous that we have to be stuck to a bid list where we pay many times more than we can pick up an item at a local store….plus the fact that you don’t have to wait weeks to get a purchase order approved. I realize the logic behind a bid list is to prevent people from making under the table deals, but there also should have to be some clause or policy that requires bidders to price items within reason. Maybe there is an ulterior motive…..how many times have you just given up and bought the item you needed out of your own pocket?
Is it a certain company that schools have a contract through to supply needs for classrooms? If so, then maybe the school needs to reevaluate who they do business with to find a better supplier. I understand how you are feeling about just going out and buying the supplies. It’s sad we have to use our own personal funding just to get what we need to teach.
Not only is purchasing from certain suppliers ridiculous, but the whole purchase order process is in my opinion. Sometimes at my school it takes weeks to get the requisition form approved to get a purchase order. By that time, I no longer need the supplies because I have either moved on with other content, or I purchased what I needed with my own money. The last couple of years I finally wised up and now keep all my receipts for tax purposes. It is sometimes surprising to see just how much I spend out of pocket each year on supplies I feel should be provided to us.