Dearest readers,
Well, those breadcrumbs are coming in! 🕯�
Following my earlier post asking about school districts requiring families to purchase athletic uniforms, apparel, and equipment from specific vendors, I've received quite a few responses.
Two districts have caught my attention so far.
📍 SAGINAW TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
A parent reports that Heritage High School requires families to purchase team apparel through Sandlot Sports, even when comparable items can be purchased elsewhere for less money.
The same parent reports that families found more affordable options for team photography but were required to use Hicks Studio.
I've also received information that Sandlot apparel is sold in physical school stores at Heritage and White Pine.
📍 BRIGHTON AREA SCHOOLS
Another reader reports that Brighton uses BSN Sports and Nike for athletic uniforms and that families are locked into those products.
Now, Lady B has some questions for BOTH districts.
🔎 Who selected these vendors, and how were those decisions made?
🔎 Are there written exclusive-vendor agreements? If so, where can taxpayers and parents review them?
🔎 Were competing suppliers considered, particularly when families could purchase comparable merchandise for less?
🔎 Do the districts, athletic departments, booster organizations, or other affiliated groups receive commissions, rebates, fundraising proceeds, or other financial benefits from these arrangements?
And here's the question I'm particularly interested in.
🔎 DO ANY CURRENT OR FORMER DISTRICT EMPLOYEES, ADMINISTRATORS, BOARD MEMBERS, OR THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE BUSINESS OR FINANCIAL CONNECTIONS TO ANY OF THESE VENDORS?
I'm not suggesting those connections exist or that anyone has done anything improper. But when families are required to spend their own money with specific businesses, I believe it's reasonable to ask how those businesses were selected and whether any relationships exist.
More school districts are being mentioned as the breadcrumbs continue coming in.
For now, these are Lady B's questions for Saginaw Township Community Schools and Brighton Area Schools.
If you have answers, firsthand experiences, or documentation, my inbox is open. Email is preferred, but comments and messages are welcome.
Sometimes all it takes is one question to start an interesting conversation.
With receipts and respect,
Lady B 🕯�
#LadyBudgetdown #MichiganSchools #SchoolTransparency #SaginawTownship #BrightonSchools #FollowTheMoney #WithReceiptsAndRespect