K-12 School District Leadership AI Summit - Los Angeles County 2026
Overview
Connecting LA County’s K-12 Leaders to Shape AI Strategy
The K-12 School District Leadership AI Summit in Los Angeles County is a high-impact, one-day event designed for superintendents, CIOs, and district leaders ready to shape how AI supports student success. Through hands-on workshops, collaborative planning, and peer networking, attendees will explore how to responsibly integrate AI into decision-making, professional learning, privacy practices, and equity initiatives. With its local and intimate format, the summit provides practical tools and real-world insights to help education leaders develop AI literacy, align innovation with their mission, and take the lead in guiding their districts into the future.
Agenda
Friday, November 13 |
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8:00 am Pacific |
Registration and Continental BreakfastVineyard Foyer |
8:30 am Pacific |
Welcome and Opening RemarksCabernet/MerlotDr. Ruth Pérez, Deputy Superintendent of Educational Programs and Services, Los Angeles County Office of Education |
9:00 am Pacific |
Love It or Hate It:The Great AI DebateCabernet/MerlotThis interactive fishbowl discussion will explore questions generating debate in education, including student AI use, screen time, academic integrity, privacy, teacher use of AI, and the role of human interaction.
A facilitator and an initial group of panelists will open the conversation. An open chair will allow audience members to join for a couple of minutes, contribute a perspective or question, and then give up their seat so others can participate. Attendees will hear differing viewpoints and connect the discussion to decisions facing their districts.
Brian Cohen, Vice President, Center for Digital Education Tom Ryan, Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Education |
9:45 am Pacific |
Break |
10:00 am Pacific |
Industry SpotlightCabernet/MerlotThis session will highlight ways in which the technology industry is supporting educational leaders and school districts in meeting today’s challenges and opportunities.
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10:30 am Pacific |
Lessons Learned from the Field: Creating Guidelines and PolicyCabernet/MerlotAs AI continues to evolve, districts are learning that their policies and guidelines must evolve with it. This panel brings together leaders who established AI guidance early alongside those developing policies today to explore what shaped their approach, what they’ve learned, and what they’ve revised along the way. Panelists will share how they are responding to emerging challenges while balancing innovation with security, equity, academic integrity, and human oversight and offer practical insights districts can apply as they develop or refine their own AI guidelines.
Moderator: Brian Cohen, Vice President, Center for Digital Education Dr. Stephen Nellman, Superintendent, Centinela Valley Union High School District Dr. Joan Perez, Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services, San Gabriel Unified Andrew Rutz, Chief Technology Officer, Information Technology, Norwalk La-Mirada Unified School District |
11:30 am Pacific |
Lunch and NetworkingCabernet/Merlot |
12:30 pm Pacific |
AI in Service of LearningCabernet/MerlotThis session will examine AI through the lens of teaching and learning. Examples from subjects such as math and science will show how AI may help students understand difficult concepts, engage with content, receive feedback, and demonstrate learning. The conversation will connect these uses to instructional goals and the role of teacher judgment.
Moderator: Brian Cohen, Vice President, Center for Digital Education Kareen Menjivar, Mathematics Teacher, Garvey Intermediate School Sarah Nitsos, Coordinator, Assessment, Curriculum and Instruction, Los Angeles County Office of Education |
1:15 pm Pacific |
Industry SpotlightCabernet/MerlotThis session will highlight ways in which the technology industry is supporting educational leaders and school districts in meeting today’s challenges and opportunities.
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1:30 pm Pacific |
Break |
1:45 pm Pacific |
Leading with Purpose: From Problems of Practice and Where AI Fits WorkshopCabernet/MerlotBefore asking what AI can do, districts need to be clear about the problems they are trying to solve. This interactive 90-minute working session will bring district leaders together to examine real problems of practice, consider the data and priorities behind them, and explore how current strategies and investments are addressing those challenges. Through facilitated discussion and cross-district collaboration, participants will consider where new approaches, including AI, could make a meaningful difference, where they may not, and what successful outcomes should look like.
Moderator: Tom Ryan, Senior Fellow, Center for Digital Education |
3:15 pm Pacific |
Wrap Up and Closing RemarksCabernet/Merlot |
3:30 pm Pacific |
End of SummitConference times, agenda, and speakers are subject to change.
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DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles-Norwalk
13111 Sycamore Drive
Norwalk, CA 90650
(562) 863-5555
DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles-Norwalk
Registration Information / Contact Us
Event Date: November 13, 2026
Open to Public Sector only.
Registration - Free
If you represent a Private Sector organization and are interested in Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Heather Earney.
This event is open to all individuals who meet the eligibility criteria, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected class. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants.
Contact Information
Need help registering, or have general event questions? Contact:
Lauren Schoenberger
Center for Digital Education
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 932-1408
E-mail: lschoenberger@erepublic.com
Already a sponsor, but need a hand? Reach out to:
Mireya Gaton
Center for Digital Education
A division of e.Republic
Phone:(916) 296-2617
E-Mail: mgaton@erepublic.com
Want to sponsor and stand out? Reach out to explore opportunities!
Heather Earney
Center for Digital Education
A division of e.Republic
Phone: (916) 365-2308
E-mail: heather.earney@erepublic.com