Stars, Stripes, and Smart Purchasing

A Declaration of Procurement Independence

"When in the course of school operations, it becomes necessary to dissolve the bonds of inefficient procurement…”

We are a week into July, and the skies are still lit with fireworks, but here at MISBO, we are igniting something even more powerful; a Purchasing Revolution! That's right, we are declaring our Procurement Independence from chaos, confusion, high prices, and contracts that don't serve our schools!

With a tip of the tricorn hat to Jefferson, Franklin, and Hancock, MISBO is taking you on a star-spangled journey through smart decisions, strong partnerships, and purchasing freedom! You don’t need a powdered wig or a feathered quill to be a revolutionary. You just need smart tools, trusted partners, and a team that’s got your back (hi, that’s us!).

As the fireworks light up the sky and the sweet smell of sunscreen and hot dogs fills the air, take a moment to celebrate your role in the revolution.

You are the drum major of the purchasing parade.

The Paul Revere of procurement.

The founding parent of fiscal responsibility.

But here’s the best part: when your school uses the MISBO Purchasing Consortium, you’re not just making a smart decision for your campus — you’re strengthening the entire community. Every purchase contributes to collective volume, leading to better contracts, stronger vendor partnerships, and more value for all MISBO members.

United we stand, and united we save!

So this July, let’s raise our flags — and our standards — for another year of smart, inspired purchasing. We hold these truths to be self-evident: that strategic sourcing is powerful, that efficiency is patriotic, and that teamwork (and a solid PO process) truly makes the dream work.

Sign here, fellow revolutionary. The future is bright, budget-friendly, and MISBO-supported.

Meet Your Match (For Purchasing, That Is!) Need a quote, pricing info, or just want to find the perfect partner to help out? Partner Connect is your go-to matchmaking tool—only instead of romantic dinners, you’ll get solid deals and savvy support from trusted vendors.  Try Partner Connect	Find Referrals Our new tool, School Scout, lets you search for partners and see which member schools are using them. Looking for real connections? Want insight before reaching out to a partner? Curious if your neighbor school is working with the same partner? This tool also allows you to filter by school size and state!  Try School Scout	See Your Savings We’re making it even easier for you to see the value of your MISBO membership! Welcome to our brand-new Benefits Report Download Tool! With just a click, you can instantly download your quarterly or annual benefits report, packed with insights like your savings, event attendance, and more. Download Benefits Reports

Literati: Stars, Stripes, and Smart Book Fairs: Why Literati Book Fairs are a Win for Your School!

What do you get when you mix spirit with purposeful book buying? A school event that’s fun, educational, and financially rewarding—without the hassle. If you're an elementary school book fair coordinator looking for a better way to fundraise, it's time to declare your independence from stressful setups and underwhelming options.

Give your students freedom to choose and your school the tools to succeed.

Welcome to the star-spangled benefits of a Literati Book Fair

Batteries Plus: Let Freedom (and Classrooms) Ring
Declare independence from dead batteries once and for all! Batteries Plus is putting the spotlight on lithium batteries this season — a long-lasting, cost-effective, smarter choice.

Why lithium? Because fewer replacements = fewer headaches. That’s the kind of quiet victory purchasing pros know and love.

Power to the people... and the projectors, clocks, exit signs, and security systems. 

Get $30 Off Energizer Industrial® Lithium AA & AAA Cases

AED Brands: A Revolutionary Heartbeat
The Falcons may be training on the field, but AED Brands is helping schools train for life-saving moments. Their partnership with the NFL’s CPR initiative highlights just how important AED access is in every building.

This is patriotism at its most powerful — because the freedom to save a life? That’s the ultimate declaration.

Hands-only CPR and AED training: Simple, smart, and potentially life-saving

ion Software Group: Freedom from Guesswork
Back in the day, we used overhead projectors and hoped for the best. But now? We’ve got ion Software Group, turning data into clarity for schools and teachers alike.

Their mission? Empowerment through insights. Think of them as your command center — translating spreadsheets into strategy and freeing up your time for what matters most.

Smart decision making starts with smart data.

Read how ion Software is putting power back in your hands.

Demco: Flexible Classrooms, Strong Foundations

 
Red, white, and built to adapt — Demco is leading the charge toward flexible learning spaces where every student thrives. Their approach to classroom design meets students where they are, supports different learning styles, and says goodbye to “one-size-fits-all.”

When students are free to move, they are free to learn.

How Flexible Classrooms Help Students Thrive

VS America: QuickShip 2025 — The Minute Men of Modern Classrooms

Need classroom furniture, fast? VS America’s QuickShip 2025 line is ready to respond with the speed and precision of Revolutionary War minutemen.

These products are in stock, ready to go, and built to last — perfect for schools with tight timelines and even tighter budgets.

Why wait for liberty (or furniture) when it can ship today?

VS America QuickShip Product Guide 2025

Sparking Joy Through Stories (and Free Books!)

There’s nothing quite like the spark of a good story — and this month, Mackin is lighting up July with free books and inspirational reads in their latest BookTalk newsletter.

From celebrated authors like Jason Reynolds and Ruta Sepetys to timely topics on social-emotional learning, BookTalk brings insight, connection, and that warm, fuzzy “school library nostalgia” straight to your screen.

Even better? You can win FREE BOOKS. That’s right — Mackin is giving away amazing titles all month long. No catch, just summer sunshine and literary love from one of MISBO’s trusted partners.

Give your students the freedom to explore new stories — and give yourself the joy of snagging some free ones, too.

Dive into BookTalk and enter to win