Massachusetts Inspector General finds Boston Public Schools wasted $857,000-$900,000 through no-bid contracts and 'passthrough' billing, 2018-2024

A Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General report released August 26, 2026 found BPS's Division of Operations routinely skipped competitive bidding and written-contract requirements for purchases over $10,000, funneling roughly $620,000 through unauthorized intermediary vendors (adding at least $77,000 in markups) and creating at least one sham procurement order to pay old bills. IG Jeffrey Shapiro called the practices 'unacceptable.' BPS says it has since removed staff and hired new procurement leadership; Mayor Wu, Superintendent Mary Skipper, and School Committee Chair Jeri Robinson did not respond to the Boston Globe's written questions.