Open Purchase Orders

Open purchase orders provide flexibility and convenience to school district employees to purchase consumable supplies for instructional purposes. However, it is the responsibility of CTE Central Services to evaluate receipts and ensure that funds have been spent in accordance with federal, state and local fiscal policy and are within the scope of the purchase order. We all must be good stewards of the public’s funds; therefore the following guidelines have been developed to assist you when making purchases with an open purchase order.

Teachers of specific CTE pathway programs of study are granted special permission to utilize an open purchase order for the following types of consumable supplies:

Agriculture: Agricultural Mechanics (building materials)
Agriculture: Animal Science (animal feed)
Agriculture: Horticulture (plant material)
Family & Consumer Sciences: Food & Nutrition/Culinary/Food Science (groceries for lab experiences)
Trade & Industrial: Carpentry (building materials)

Teachers using an open purchase order must:

Except for POs to grocery stores, you must still submit two additional quotes, if over $2,499.99. You can do this by creating a list of items you commonly purchase on an open PO and then creating three columns (one for each store) and then indicating the unit price for each item. Total the items across the bottom and you can indicate the total amount in the PO Requisition Form and upload the same price comp document for each quote.
Not purchase anything beyond the scope of the approved purchase order. When in doubt ask Monica Connor before making a purchase.
Keep track of what is spent and the remaining balance. You may be personally responsible for any overage amount.
All open purchase orders must be closed out (materials received and receipts turned in) by April 11. FCS Teachers who teach Food/Culinary pathway courses can have one (1) purchase order to a grocery store for $300 or less with a close out deadline by May 2 in order to purchase perishable items.
Send original receipts, invoices, and/or charge slips with a copy of the open purchase order within 24 hours of the purchase date to Monica Connor.

Ag: Agricultural Mechanics

Possible Vendors: Lowe’s Home Improvement, Hudson Hardware, ARC3
Materials to be used for a fundraiser or sale should not be purchased from consumable supply allotment.
Only consumable building supplies may be purchased with an open purchase order. Examples include: Lumber, Metal, Fasteners, Electrical Wire, Bits, Saw Blades, Abrasives, Plumbing pipes, fittings, glue, paint, caulk, putty, shingles, siding, flashing and non-electric hand tools that are less than $20 per item.
Items that would be considered equipment must not be purchased using an open purchase order. Some examples are: drills, saws, shop vac, wheelbarrow, power washer, and any item that has a motor, plugs in or is stationary.

Ag: Animal Science

Possible vendors: Mule City feed, Nahunta feed, Sullivan Farms, etc
Feed and medications for animals should be purchased using an open purchase order
Items that would be considered equipment must not be purchased with an open purchase order.

Ag: Horticulture

Possible Vendors: Coor Supply,
Plant material or supplies purchased from consumable supply funds may not be fundraiser (i.e.- Plant Sale)
Only consumable supplies may be purchased with an open purchase order. Examples include: seeds, plugs, soil, pots, fertilizer, and small hand tools that are less than $20 per item
Items that would be considered equipment must not be purchased using an open purchase order. Some examples are: shop vac, wheelbarrow, power washer, and any item that has a motor, plugs in or is stationary.

FCS: Food & Nutrition

Food may not be purchased for class parties or celebrations
Lab activities must align to the state standards
Lab activities should provide students with samples of food to taste and evaluate, not complete meals
Food purchased should align to Family & Consumer Sciences program goals:
- Develop students’ food preparation skills
- Promote healthy eating habits and cost-effective consumerism
- Expose students to new foods and expand their appreciation of food, including multi-cultural foods
- Prepare students for careers in nutrition and dietetics, food science, and culinary nutrition
Support to the greatest extent possible the Johnston County Public Schools Wellness Policy.

Approved: Proceed freely.

Fresh and/or frozen fruits and vegetables
Fresh herbs
Dried herbs, spices, and fruits
Milk, cheese, and eggs
Dried and/or frozen legumes (peas, beans, and lentils)
Nuts, seeds, and nut butters
Oils and butter
Flour (prefer whole-grain), sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, extracts, yeast
Whole-grain bread, pasta, tortillas
Grits, oatmeal, buckwheat, bulgur, cornmeal, brown rice, quinoa
Fresh or frozen ground beef, chicken, turkey, pork, soy products
Food lab cleaning supplies (e.g., dish detergent, all-purpose cleaner, laundry detergent)
Hand soap

Questionable: Proceed with caution. Food that is frequently purchased in this category may result in warning or request for justification.

White/refined bread, pasta, tortillas,
Canned fruits, vegetables, and legumes/beans
Chocolate chips and other baking chips
Prepared popcorn, crackers, pretzels, tortilla chips, graham crackers
Granola
Jarred sauces and dips
Fresh or frozen shrimp and tilapia
Canned tuna and salmon
Canned condensed soup
Salad dressings
Condiments (mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup)
Pickles, olives, relishes, etc.
Fruit juices
Bisquick, cake, and pudding mix
Paper cups and plates (use washable, reusable dinnerware as much as possible)
Plastic flatware (use washable, reusable flatware as much as possible)

Restricted: Stop and reconsider the lab experience. May result in a warning or denial of receipt payment. To prevent issues, email you CTE Program Specialist to request prior-approval.

Processed breakfast cereals
Processed meal kits, packets, and packages
Brownie, cookie, pancake, and muffin mixes
Prepared cakes, brownies, cookies, muffins, quickbread loafs
Candy
Prepared frosting
Frozen entrees, meals, desserts
Potato chips, pork rinds, sandwich crackers, cheese crackers
Soda, cola, kool-aid, and other high-sugar beverages
Canned or dried meats
Expensive seafood and steaks
Styrofoam cups and plates

T&I: Carpentry

Possible Vendors: Lowe’s Home Improvement and Hudson Hardware
Only building supplies may be purchased with an open purchase order. Examples include: lumber, fasteners, glue, caulk, sandpaper, paint/stain, tape, bits, blades, tape measures, line chalk, non-electric hand tools that are less than $20 per item.
Items that would be considered equipment must not be purchased using an open purchase order. Some examples are: drills, saws, shop vac, dolly, power washer, and any item that has a motor, plugs in or is stationary.

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