Fun with Purchasing: June 2026 Updates
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The Feedback Forum is your space to share what it’s really like working with MISBO partners through our negotiated contracts. Your insights help us keep a pulse on partner performance, uncover opportunities to improve, and ensure our partners are delivering the value your school deserves.
HOT TOPICS BLOG POST
Your Teachers Qualify for Student Loan Forgiveness. Most of Them Don't Know It.
by Mandy Wallace from SavvyFi
Here's something worth knowing before going into the next school year:
A meaningful number of your teachers, counselors, and support staff are likely eligible for federal student loan forgiveness through Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Many of them are silently mismanaging it, losing thousands of dollars in qualifying credit, or sitting in default without ever telling you.
MISBO's NEWEST PARTNER
Wizer Training, Inc
Wizer helps schools build a culture of cybersecurity awareness without adding burden to already stretched staff and administrators. Faculty and staff complete short, engaging video-based training that covers the threats most relevant to education environments - phishing, social engineering, malware, and data privacy. Training takes minutes, not hours, and is designed so people actually retain what they learn. Member schools get full access to Wizer's security awareness training library, phishing simulations, monthly security updates, and policy acknowledgment tracking. Administrators and can monitor completion and simulation results across their school from a single dashboard. Schools that need to go further can also create custom training videos on any topic in any language using Wizer's AI-powered content tools, available as an add-on.
MISBO PARTNER HIGHLIGHTs
Consoll
SUMMER PROJECT SURVIVAL CHECKLIST
Summer is the busiest—and most critical—time for school purchasing teams. With tight timelines, budget deadlines, and fall readiness on the
line, even small delays can create major disruptions.
This Summer Project Survival Guide is designed to help schools streamline furniture and space planning projects, avoid common pitfalls, and
ensure everything is in place before students return.
Use this quick checklist to keep your summer projects moving efficiently:
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- Finalize specs, approvals, and budgets early
- Prioritize quick-ship or in-stock solutions
- Schedule installation crews in advance
- Use 2D/3D layouts to avoid rework
- Complete walkthroughs before staff returns
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Get the complete step-by-step guide to plan, manage, and complete your summer projects with confidence.
Download the Full Summer Checklist
Hudson Bus Sales
What keeps a school fleet running safely and efficiently every day? From inspections to driver training, this quick guide from Hudson Bus Sales highlights four key areas every transportation team should prioritize.
Campus Services Group
Cost Savings & Operational Value and CSG Purchasing Power
What happens when a school takes a closer look at its custodial spending? Sandy Spring Friends School uncovered thousands in annual savings and cut supply costs by up to 30%—all while maintaining a clean, welcoming campus. See how strategic partnership and purchasing power made the difference.
Joffe Emergency Service
Joffe Membership gives your school 24/7 expert crisis hotline access, 100+ training courses, neighborhood threat reports, and a network of safety leaders, all for $2,500 a year. As a member of MISBO, you also will receive 25% off of your annual membership.
Draco Group
School safety planning should begin well before the school year starts. By reviewing emergency procedures, training staff, strengthening security protocols, and conducting realistic preparedness exercises, schools can build a culture of awareness, confidence, and readiness across their communities. Draco Group partners with schools to provide security assessments, staff training, emergency planning, and customized preparedness strategies designed to address each institution’s unique needs. Their goal is to help schools proactively protect students, educators, families, and visitors before challenges arise.
Barco Products
Create Outdoor Spaces That Inspire Learning and Connection
From outdoor classrooms and dining areas to gathering spaces and campus walkways, Barco Products helps schools create safe, functional, and welcoming environments. Our durable, low-maintenance site furnishings—including benches, picnic tables, buddy benches, bike racks, and waste receptacles—are built to withstand daily use and deliver long-term value. Visit our website To explore solutions designed for schools and educational facilities.
Batteries Plus
Power Every Application with Batteries Plus Business
From security systems and emergency lighting to mobile devices and equipment fleets, Batteries Plus Business offers reliable SLA battery solutions designed to keep your operations running smoothly. Explore durable, high-performance options backed by expert support and find the right battery for every application.
Need help finding the right fit? Contact your Batteries Plus Business representative for personalized recommendations and pricing.
Mackin
Discover What’s New with Mackin Community!
Stay connected to the latest in literacy, learning, and library innovation with Mackin Community, Mackin’s monthly digital digest. Each issue features exclusive author interviews, educator resources, new product announcements, reading recommendations, survey insights, and inspiring stories from schools and libraries. From AI tools and classroom solutions to featured titles and social media highlights, Mackin Community delivers fresh ideas and practical resources to help educators engage readers and support learning all year long.
CuraLink
Supporting employee mental health means helping people navigate both everyday challenges and the quieter struggles that often go unnoticed. In July, we're focusing on connection, loneliness, and the relationships that help people thrive.
July is Social Wellness Month, and it's a great time to encourage members to invest in the relationships that keep them grounded: friends, colleagues, and the support that's always available to them.
In MyComms Toolkit, you’ll find ready-to-share materials to raise awareness, encourage early support, and keep members engaged in their program.
If you would like help planning your July communications or selecting the right materials for your population, your Client Relationship Manager is always here as a resource.
Access July Monthly Materials & Content
Vivacity Tech
One Dashboard. Total Visibility.
Sync Your Google Admin Console in Dream™ by Vivacity
Stop chasing spreadsheets and get real-time insights, automated workflows, and full lifecycle visibility into your organization's devices so your team can spend less time chasing devices and more time supporting learning. And the best part? It’s free!
Watch how IT teams use Dream™ to track every device, streamline repairs, and surface the data they need in seconds.
Snacks & partner facts
Catch Up on the Snacks & Partner Facts You Missed!
Your favorite partners hosted some amazing Snacks & Partner Facts, featuring MISBO School Success Stories and informative, educational sessions designed to support and inspire your work!
Catch Up on Previous Snacks & Partner Facts Webinars Here
FUN WITH PURCHASING BLOG BY SUSAN
We Ran the Numbers and Purchasing Just Got Interesting
by Susan Kimmel
Let’s be honest. Purchasing reports don’t usually make for exciting reading. But when we looked at how MISBO schools are using the purchasing consortium so far this year, the numbers told a pretty interesting story.
CONTACT US
As always, we are here to help you find quality products and services at exceptional prices.
Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions, thoughts, or feedback!
