Yes I‘m aware boxed versions are still available. But they aren‘t available under the contract the state negotiated with Microsoft. And that’s the terms the schools use to buy licenses if they don’t want to pay a premium.
To change this there would have to be political will to reduce the lock-in and maybe offer a state run cloud service.
There is absolutely educational pricing for boxed Office. It sounds like you might be upset about the choices your State made, and are conflating that with what is possible.
To change this there would have to be political will to reduce the lock-in and maybe offer a state run cloud service.