Ysleta ISD, like many districts, faces enrollment shifts and rising costs. We are meeting these challenges by standardizing admin hardware, re-envisioning teacher device options, and researching age-appropriate transitions for student 1:1 models. Join us to explore how these strategic shifts impact instructional performance and infrastructure health, offering a roadmap for balancing technological innovation with the realities of modern school finance.
Erick lives for education: As a Digital Resource & Content Specialist Erick manages district resources such as student and teacher devices, SSO applications, and many of the online resources including Google™. Holding a Masters in Cybersecurity, he mixes education with safe online... Read More →
Today’s schools depend on reliable connectivity for everything from classroom instruction and assessments to campus operations and safety, yet many IT teams are still managing aging infrastructure, limited staff resources, and unpredictable upgrade cycles. This session explores how schools are modernizing campus connectivity with an integrated networking approach that brings together hardware, software, deployment, and ongoing support in one unified solution. Attendees will learn how this model can reduce operational burden on lean IT teams, improve coverage and reliability across multi-building campuses, and create a more predictable path for budgeting and refreshes. Drawing on real education deployments, the session will highlight how schools are moving beyond piecemeal upgrades to build resilient, scalable networks that better support digital learning and the overall campus experience.
Texas districts are caught in the crossfire of federal legislation that doesn't distinguish managed classroom devices from consumer tech. This session challenges the "remove all screens" narrative with a proactive alternative: purpose-built instructional devices designed for learning, not addiction-driven design. Attendees will leave with talking points for their communities and an invitation to initiate a coalition of Texas district leaders advocating for smarter standards, better tools, and a seat at the legislative table. Additional Information We'll be looking at Plugged Out, KOSMA, potential E-Rate impact, Visible Learning data, and the standards that we value for instructional devices. Essential Skill Leadership & Vision; Ethics & Policies
Developing layered communication patterns with different stakeholders can change the way tech teams work. Those changes help IT departments move from reactive to proactive perspectives campuses and departments feel on a daily basis. This session will highlight specific communication patterns used in Humble ISD since 2022 that have led to positive changes and open the doors for more. Additional Information Examples will be shared that can be used, adapted, and taken away for immediate use within your organization. Essential Skill Team Building & Staffing; Leadership & Vision; Strategic Planning
