Breaking Down Silos, Optimizing Technology, and Empowering Student Success: Insights from Our Webinar

Hello everyone, Amy Bennett here, Chief of Staff at Lightspeed. I had the pleasure of moderating today’s insightful webinar with district leaders, where we dove into some of the biggest challenges facing education today. From breaking down departmental silos to leveraging technology for informed decision-making, the conversation was filled with real-world strategies and valuable takeaways.

➡ If you’d like, you can watch the webinar on-demand now.

Today’s panelist included:

• Kevin Brooks: Supervisor Office of Communications Engineering, Loudoun County Public Schools
• Melissa Smead: Director of Instructional Technology and Learning Services, Colorado Springs School District 11
• Rebekah Gibbs: Teacher Technology Specialist, Caddo Parish School District
• Rich Perkins: Director of Information Services and Network Security, Clay County District Schools

Cross-Department Collaboration: Breaking Down Silos

A key theme that emerged was the need for collaboration across various departments—technology, curriculum, finance, and beyond. Melissa from Colorado highlighted how fostering communication between IT, academic leadership, and schools is crucial for effective decisions about curriculum adoption and budgeting. Rich from Florida emphasized the importance of empathy and customer service, likening effective collaboration to the service model of Chick-fil-A, where understanding and meeting the needs of others is paramount.

Kevin from Virginia shared that just before the webinar began, a teacher reached out to him with concerns about a new program she was trying to use with one of her students, who couldn’t access it. Although Kevin was busy, his ed tech team quickly stepped in to assist. They informed the teacher that she could use the Access Scan tool, a feature in Lightspeed Filter, to determine why the website was unavailable to that particular student and even self-serve to make it available as needed. This situation was a perfect example of collaboration among divisions within Loudoun County, showcasing how they support each other in real-time to ensure that teachers and students have the resources they need.

Addressing Budget Cuts, ESSER Funding, and Enrollment Challenges 

The panelists shared valuable insights on how districts are navigating financial challenges, including the end of ESSER funding, declining enrollment, and school choice impacts. Melissa explained how her team uses Lightspeed Insight to analyze app usage and track student and teacher engagement. “We run reports daily to determine if the tools we purchased during the ESSER period are still adding value,” she said. Melissa also described how they’ve shifted K-12 learning software originally adopted during the pandemic to a school-funded model as student needs and device types evolved. “Insight has been a great conversation starter for us, especially when bringing curriculum teams and principals together to decide what stays district-funded or transitions to school budgets.”

Rich highlighted how a statewide voucher program has led to enrollment declines in public schools, pushing districts to adopt a marketing mindset. “We’re almost running a business now, promoting the strengths of public schools to retain students,” he explained. Kevin shared that, despite having a strong budget this year, his district is planning for future constraints by reevaluating programs like one-to-one device initiatives. “Every decision we make is data-driven,” Kevin noted. “Blind cuts can have unintended consequences, so we ensure our budgeting aligns with actual student needs.” The panelists collectively emphasized the importance of data-driven decisions and cross-department collaboration to navigate these financial challenges effectively while supporting student success.

Real Conversations About Technology’s Role in Safety 

Student safety, both physical and digital, was a significant focus of the webinar, with panelists discussing how their districts leverage technology to protect and support students. Rich explained that his district uses Lightspeed Alert to monitor potential self-harm and ensure timely interventions. “We act as a 911 service,” he said. “When we receive an alert, we pass it on to counselors or mental health teams for immediate action. I’d rather have a student tell the counselor, ‘I was just joking,’ than miss a credible threat.” Meanwhile, Rebekah from Louisiana emphasized the importance of a multi-tiered response system, stating, “Alerts are sent to multiple staff members to ensure prompt intervention, especially since counselors aren’t always at their desks.”

The panelists also discussed the proactive measures they take to educate students about digital citizenship and online safety. “We hold Digital Safety Days to teach students about secure passwords and responsible online behavior,” Rebekah shared. Kevin highlighted the importance of collaboration across departments, noting, “We prioritize proactive communication between IT, mental health teams, and school staff to ensure every student feels supported and safe.” Overall, the conversation reinforced that technology, when combined with proper training and collaboration, can be a powerful ally in safeguarding student well-being.

AI in Education: Navigating Opportunities and Risks

The panelists discussed the complexities of AI in education, highlighting both its potential and the associated risks. Rich emphasized the need for clear policies and a cautious approach, stating, “We need to ensure that AI is used responsibly, as it can easily become a tool for cheating if not managed properly.” He noted that districts must adopt a “walled garden” approach to AI, allowing safe usage while preventing misuse. Melissa echoed this sentiment, explaining that her district is taking small, deliberate steps in AI adoption. “We started with a task force to educate staff on best practices and how to integrate AI into their teaching,” she said. “It’s crucial that we empower educators to use AI effectively while also being aware of its limitations.”

The conversation also touched on the importance of AI literacy for both students and teachers. Kevin remarked, “As we introduce AI tools, we must also teach critical thinking skills to help students discern the quality of the information they receive.” He highlighted the necessity of ongoing training and support for educators to navigate this new landscape. The panelists collectively agreed that while AI presents exciting opportunities for personalized learning, it also requires careful consideration of ethical implications and the need for robust guidelines to ensure student safety and integrity in education.

Key Takeaways

As we wrap up this insightful discussion, it’s clear that the challenges we face in education require collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and a focus on student safety. Here are some key takeaways to keep in mind as you move forward in your districts:

1. Collaboration is Key: Break down silos through proactive communication and teamwork. Engaging all departments fosters a culture of support and understanding.
   
   “We try not to silo anybody,” Rich shared. “We want all departments to work together to accomplish what we can. Creating a culture of collaboration and embedding everyone into the process makes all the difference.”
   
   
2. Data-Driven Decisions: Utilize technology to analyze usage and ensure every expenditure benefits students. Data should inform all budgetary choices to maximize impact.
   
   Melissa emphasized, “We run daily reports with tools like Lightspeed Insight to see what’s working and what’s not. This data allows us to make informed decisions, whether it’s about district-level purchases or shifting tools to school-based budgets.”
   
   
3. Student Safety is Paramount: Implement tools like Lightspeed Alert to identify at-risk students early, ensuring timely interventions and support.
   
   “We act as a 911 service,” Rich explained. “If there’s even a hint of a self-harm alert being real, we send it to counselors immediately. I’d rather have a student say, ‘I was joking,’ than miss the chance to help someone in crisis.”
   
   
4. AI with Caution: Educate staff and students on responsible AI use and establish clear policies to navigate its complexities effectively.
   
   Kevin shared, “We’re taking very cautious, meaningful steps with AI, starting with staff and eventually rolling it out to students in a walled garden environment. It’s all about ensuring the tools are safe and beneficial while teaching responsible use.”
   
   
5. Empathy Matters: Approach challenges with a customer service mindset. Understanding the needs of colleagues and stakeholders helps build a collaborative environment.
   
   “Customer service is our foundation,” Rich said. “Whether it’s staff, students, or parents, we treat everyone as a valued customer, following up and providing support — always helping with a smile.”

Advice for District Leaders

As we wrapped up, the panelists shared their advice for navigating the challenges in education. Rich underscored the importance of customer service as a guiding principle, stating, “If you truly integrate customer service and think of everybody that way, that culture will take off and people will be more willing to work with you.” Rebecca emphasized the need for a “Plan B” in decision-making, saying, “If you’re getting rid of one program, have a backup plan ready and communicate it clearly to your staff to avoid surprises.” Melissa encouraged leaders to listen for opportunities to connect, remarking, “In this day and age, we have a lot of turnover, so being able to market why it’s important can make all the difference.” Meanwhile, Kevin highlighted the value of assuming positive intent in all interactions, asserting, “When you reach out, assume that whoever you’re talking to has the best interests at heart, and it changes how you engage with them.”

Thank you to the insightful district leaders who participated today and to everyone who tuned in. Together, we can break down silos, leverage technology, and ensure every student thrives in our ever-changing educational landscape. Here’s to building a brighter future, one collaborative step at a time!