Beyond Compliance
Intentional Approaches to Vendor Diversity
By Tamara Mitchell, SFO
Chief Financial Officer
Evanston-Skokie School District 65
School business officials and superintendents understand that every purchasing decision carries weight. Beyond cost-effectiveness and compliance, the way we spend taxpayer dollars reflects the values of our districts and boards. School districts can demonstrate their commitment to fairness and equal opportunity by ensuring that diverse suppliers, such as Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) and Veteran-Owned businesses, have equitable access to district contracts.
This is not simply about meeting quotas or checking boxes. It is about building stronger communities, expanding opportunity and fostering innovation. Done right, intentional purchasing broadens the base of vendors we engage, creates lasting partnerships and shows our students and families that fairness and opportunity are not abstract ideals, but practices woven into how we operate. In public education, we often talk about modeling values for our students. Intentional purchasing is a concrete way to do that.