I agree. Even just doing exactly what the school secretaries used to do (call out instead of requiring us to poll, and only during certain hours) would be bette

I agree. Even just doing exactly what the school secretaries used to do (call out instead of requiring us to poll, and only during certain hours) would be better. But you're right that the incentives are awful. This software worked and changing it would presumably cost money (developer time, potential for introducing new revenue-impacting bugs, etc.). Also, the people making the decisions are of course not using their own money: if something is more expensive but saves some district employee 40 hours a year doing background checks, managing the sub list, etc., then they will choose to pay the service. Presumably my employer also had slick salespeople wooing these decision makers with dinners out, football tickets and the like.