ITEC Fall Conference 2026

This interactive session places participants in the middle of a realistic K–12 ransomware and data breach scenario. Participants will work through time-critical decisions at 15 minutes, 24 hours, and 72 hours post-incident, examining technical response, leadership communication, legal obligations, and recovery actions. The session emphasizes practical readiness, governance, and lessons learned to strengthen district incident response before a real event occurs.

Budgets are tight. Always have been. Always will be. That's why creating a long-term budget strategy for technology is crucial. Learn how the Dallas-Center Grimes School District established a predictable refresh cycle and utilizes multiple funding streams to fund our technology initiatives.

Beyond the Login: Screen Time Insights, Time-Saving Automation, Data Privacy, and Technology ROI Audience: Iowa K–12 technology directors, CTOs, technology coordinators, network administrators, instructional technology leaders, curriculum leaders, and district administrators

Conference Session DescriptionAs digital resources multiply, K–12 technology teams are expected to provide immediate access, maintain accurate accounts and rosters, protect student data, support teachers, and demonstrate technology ROI—often without additional staff.
Iowa districts also face growing questions about screen time and whether technology is supporting meaningful instruction. Answering those questions requires more than login counts or a list of purchased applications.


Drawing from her experience as CTO of Green Bay Area Public School District, Diane Doersch will share a practical, leadership-focused approach to building a safer, more efficient, and more transparent digital learning environment. Attendees will explore how centralized access, automated identity and roster management, student-data protections, and actionable usage analytics can reduce administrative work and improve district decision-making.


ClassLink will be discussed as one example of how these connected challenges can be addressed through a unified platform. The session is designed to provide practical ideas attendees can apply in their own districts—not deliver a traditional product demonstration.

Learning Outcomes

Attendees will leave able to:

1. Identify manual processes and disconnected systems that consume technology-team time and create unnecessary risk.
2. Use application and screen-time data to support technology purchasing, digital wellness, professional learning, and instructional decisions.
3. Evaluate how centralized access, automated account management, secure rostering, and data minimization could improve their district’s digital environment.

When you use Google, you live in beta. Changes are made, and you get to live with them. This session will cover what is new for this school year in the Google admin console and how it will effect your job.

Digital accessibility for students who use assistive technology is essential for ensuring inclusive digital learning environments. The Quality Indicators for the Provision & Use of Accessible Digital Educational Materials guide teams through a systemic process of continuous improvement. Aligned with the ADA Title II regulation for accessible web content and mobile apps, these indicators help districts plan, implement, and evaluate coordinated systems for accessible digital educational materials and technologies. Explore critical components, practical actions, and adaptable resources to strengthen digital accessibility culture, foster collaboration, and drive immediate improvements. Continue learning with NCADEMI's virtual Professional Learning Group, a free technical assistance offering for teams implementing the Quality Indicators.   

Lost physical key fobs, the logistical nightmare of replacing them, and the security risk of staff "borrowing" each other's credentials. It’s time to move access control into the modern era.
In this session, we will explore how our organization transitioned away from traditional key fobs and deployed Avigilon Alta, a cloud-based security door system that allows staff to use their smartphones for entry. We will discuss the real-world deployment process, how we eliminated credential sharing, and how the "touchless" mobile entry has improved both convenience for staff and physical security for our buildings. Whether you are looking to upgrade a single facility or streamline an entire district for deploying mobile-first access control.

The E-Rate program provides substantial discounts -- up to 90% -- on eligible internet services and network equipment, but like any federal program, the application and reporting requirements can seem daunting.  Learn how to successful navigate this process and how a partnership between the business and technology departments at DCG Schools has resulted in a 99% utilization of available E-Rate funds.

When a computer freezes, we hit Ctrl+Alt+Delete to clear the system and start fresh. But what do you do when a major technology rollout freezes due to user resistance, poor communication, or lack of buy-in? You have to Ctrl+Alt+Lead.
Managing a major device change is less about the hardware and more about change management. In this session, we will look at real-world examples of leading successful device transitions from the ground up. We will break down how to "reboot" your approach by establishing meaningful feedback loops with stakeholders (teachers, students, and parents) and executing a transparent communication plan that minimizes panic and maximizes excitement. Don't just deploy devices—lead the transition.

Every district is looking to adopt and utilize AI effectively within the classroom. There are many challenges that go along with that from planning, tech requirements, policies, community input, professional development, ongoing support, and AI capabilities that change monthly. Come to this session to hear about how the successes, challenges, and setbacks College Community CSD and Cedar Falls CSD have had on our journeys to effectively implement AI.

Software licensing fees are climbing, device replacement cycles are getting tighter, and network infrastructure demands are higher than ever. How are school district tech departments staying on budget? This unstructured round table is an open floor for infrastructure professionals to compare notes on saving money. Key topics include eliminating redundant platforms, vendor price hikes, cloud migration trade-offs, and creative ways to stretch hardware lifecycles. No vendor pitches—just honest peer advice on what to keep, what to cut, and how to negotiate better terms for your district.