The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), in partnership with the Texas Association of School Administrators and CoSN’s Texas state affiliate chapter, the Texas Educational Technology Leaders (formerly The Texas K-12 CTO Council), is honored to support the work of current and aspiring superintendents and district leadership teams in leading all aspects of digital learning transformations.
Financing Technology Innovations – Strategies and Tools
As 2024 comes to a close and school leaders take on both continuing and new technology challenges in 2025, CoSN is pleased to provide multiple free technology financial planning and evaluation resources for school leaders as part of the CoSN/AASA EmpowerED Superintendents Initiative (https://www.cosn.org/superintendents/).
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
When it comes to understanding the actual full cost of technology investments it is key that school leaders’ knowledge and experience go beyond the initial costs of any technology purchase. When school districts measure the TCO they come to know not only the costs of acquiring specific technology tools, but also the costs involved in maintaining networks, computers, multiple devices as well as expenses related to needed staff. A TCO Assessment is an impactful way to help school leaders create annual budgets as well as identify the effects of any proposed changes on IT operations.
CoSN is pleased to share the following online resources to assist school leaders in evaluating the total cost of ownership regarding IT investments at https://www.cosn.org/tco/:
- TCO Assessment Tool
- Indirect Labor User Survey
- TCO Example Workbook
You will also find “Tips and Recommendations for Performing Your Own TCO Assessment” described on the https://www.cosn.org/tco/ webpage.
Value of Investment (VOI)
Careful evaluation of the expected costs and benefits of proposed educational technology projects is also a key factor when it comes to making smart budgeting decisions about IT purchases. CoSN has defined the methodology and created specific tools to support K-12 school districts regarding the Value of Investment (VOI). Free access to the following VOI resources is available on the https://www.cosn.org/voi/ webpage:
- VOI Methodology Flowchart
- Project Cost Estimator
- Project Benefits Tool
- Project Benefits Workbook
CoSN/AASA EmpowerED Superintendents edLeader Panel Series
CoSN, AASA, and edWeb.net co-host an online edLeader Panel broadcast series, sponsored by ClassLink, to help superintendents, district and school leaders and teachers connect and collaborate.
The first 2025 CoSN/AASA edLeader panel broadcast airs on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 4 p.m. Central Time. The title of the January 13 edLeader Panel broadcast is “Strategic Technology Planning and Investment: Aligning Priorities, Costs, and Outcomes.” Three leading-edge superintendents will share the effective processes they have implemented with their leadership teams regarding decisions about technology purchases. Participants are welcome sign up for free to view the live broadcast at https://home.edweb.net/webinar/supers20250113/. A few days after the live broadcast, access to the recording and podcast version will be available at that same URL.
CoSN 2025 Conference
The CoSN 2025 Conference is going to take place in Seattle, Washington, March 31-April 2, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Seattle. Learn more about CoSN 2025, view the list of Pre-Conference Events and the CoSN 2025 “Schedule at a Glance” agenda, as well as register for the CoSN 2025 Conference at https://www.cosn.org/cosn2025/.
CoSN & Texas Educational Technology Leaders (TETL) Membership
If your school or district would like more information about joining CoSN or getting more involved with CoSN, please contact membership@cosn.org. For information about Texas Education Technology Leaders, please contact Dianne Borreson, Executive Director, Texas Education Technology Leaders at exdir@tetl.org or call 855.458.9286.