K-12 Leadership Summit 2026

Summit Dinner

Breakfast & Networking

Welcome & Framing

Brian Cohen, Vice President Center for Digital Education

AI Strategy - What Is Your Roadmap and Which Path Are You Taking?

AI adoption is forcing district leaders to make difficult decisions about governance, infrastructure, staff training, student use, and risk management and often without a clear roadmap. This session will explore how districts are moving from experimentation to execution while balancing innovation, safety, access, and long-term sustainability. Panelists will share practical lessons, strategies for building an AI approach that aligns with district priorities and community expectations, and use cases others can implement.

Data Strategy - Data for Decision-Making: What Do You Trust—and What Do You Act On?

Districts are collecting more data than ever, but many leaders still struggle with disconnected systems and questions about data quality and reliability. This session will focus on these challenges, how districts are strengthening data governance, improving integration, and using data more effectively to support instruction, operations, student services, and AI initiatives. Attendees will gain insight into how leaders are building trust in their data and turning information into actionable decisions.

Break

Cybersecurity – It Already Happened: What Recent Cyber Incidents Are Teaching K12 District Leaders?

Cyber incidents are impacting school districts with increasing frequency, forcing district leaders to respond quickly under pressure. Through recent examples, this session will show how attacks unfold, the leadership decisions that mattered most, and how innovation, like AI, is reshaping risks related to student safety, phishing, fraud, and technology systems. The discussion will provide guidance on how district leaders can better prepare for, respond to, and recover from cybersecurity incidents.

Lunch

Small Group Discussion (AI+Data+Cyber) – Turning Insight into Action

This interactive session gives district leaders the opportunity to collaborate with peers on shared challenges related to AI, data, cybersecurity, and technology operations. Participants will work in small groups to identify practical solutions, discuss barriers and risks, and develop realistic next steps that can be applied within their own districts. The session is designed to move beyond discussion and focus on actionable problem-solving.

Budget Reality - What Are You Funding—and What Are You Letting Go?

District leaders are facing increasing financial pressure while still being expected to support innovation, operations, and student success. This session will explore how districts are making difficult decisions about where to invest, where to reduce spending, and how to align limited resources with strategic priorities. Panelists will also discuss how to communicate tough budget choices to boards, staff, and communities while maintaining focus on long-term district goals.

Open Discussion

Closing Remarks and Next Steps

What are the issues that rank high in your mind that were not covered? In this final session, we will go around the room to capture the important issues, challenges, and opportunities that you would like to hear more about.

Brian Cohen, Vice President Center for Digital Education

Summit Adjourns

Conference times, agenda and speakers are subject to change.