When Budgets Won't Allow Edtech Investment, Think Long-Term

#Leadership Read time:
No edtech budget? No worries. There’s still plenty to talk about.

In the business of education technology, relationships are the key to long-term happiness. Mission-driven organizations are committed to helping staff and students grow even if the time isn’t right to sign contracts. Here’s why vendor teams worth partnering with will continue conversations even when the budget breaks down—and why it’s smart to stay connected for future district growth.

 

A shared challenge

There is so much district teams cannot control about how their budget evolves year-to-year. With so many different financial priorities, enrollment numbers in flux, and various stakeholder opinions, it’s tempting to maintain the status quo. However, the status quo will never result in greater district growth, a better experience for staff, or improved outcomes for students. There is no need to rush into decisions for the sake of it, but incremental and steady change is always worth the growing pains.

 

Pricing must always be transparent

While software-as-a-service can feel like a complicated business transaction, pricing doesn’t have to be. Many, many vendors elect not to display a menu of services and prices for obvious reasons: every school district is different and every solution is unique. This is why it’s priceless to find a solution built in-house by your vendor’s team, not bought and pieced together from multiple different businesses. Retaining control of the original product increases the freedom to make changes as users’ needs evolve. Without the ability to remain nimble and changeable while preserving core functionality, there’s no way to grow along with customer schools.

 

Value is not the same as cost

Let’s look at the cost of maintaining the status quo, the cost of reactive cybersecurity, and the extreme cost associated with implementations that happen too frequently. You may be sure about a vendor, but are you sure they’re equally committed to you? Are they looking to sell to a larger company? How will the relationship change if so? The overall cost of implementation strains budgets for a short time. Repeating the process due to changes outside your district’s control can add up quickly. Choose an edtech vendor as carefully as you would a home. Think long-term and end up with a happier investment that lasts decades.

 

Big changes call for big vision

Educators are in the business of nurturing potential. Choosing your district’s next edtech ecosystem is all about spotting potential and taking gradual steps toward its inception. An old maxim tells us, “Blessed is he who plants trees under whose shade he will never sit.” Edtech purchasing takes months, maybe even years. There’s wisdom in continuing the conversation even if finances don’t permit immediate action. Districts change, leadership pivots, and good edtech supports staff and students through it all.
 

Follow-up resource: Thinking about edtech for your district?

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