Meet the seven school districts and four district leaders honored with the 2025 Innovative Technology Integration Awards. Co-sponsored by NSBA and the Center for Digital Education, the awards program celebrates districts and district leadership for advancing learning, operations, and equity through the strategic, responsible use of technology at scale.
March 23, 2026
NSBA CEO VERJEANA MCCOTTER-JACOBS AND PRESIDENT DEVIN SHEEHAN PRESENTED AWARDS FOR INNOVATIVE
TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION TO REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND
sNEVADA’S CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT.
PHOTO CREDIT: NSBA
Seven school districts and four district leaders were recognized for their excellence in digital transformation, with an emphasis on responsible artificial intelligence (AI) literacy, data-driven decision-making, and robust cybersecurity infrastructure, at NSBA’s 2026 Advocacy Institute in Washington, D.C.
For the second consecutive year, The Center for Digital Education (CDE) and NSBA partnered to sponsor the Innovative Technology Integration Award, which recognizes school districts, and launched the new Leadership in Education & Digital Innovation (LEAD) Award. It recognizes superintendents and senior district leaders whose strategic vision and execution helped build sustained districtwide technology innovation.
“The inaugural LEAD Award underscores the critical role of leadership and governance in ensuring technology serves learning, not the other way around,” Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs, executive director of the National School Boards Association, said in a statement.
The winning districts “are being recognized not just for adopting technology, but for having a clear vision for how it can improve outcomes, and for governing it well,” said Brian Cohen, vice president of the Center for Digital Education.
Winners in three enrollment categories were selected from district submissions.
The district award winners, by enrollment:
Up to 10,000 students
- Clark County Public Schools (KY): For building a cohesive, districtwide digital ecosystem that expands blended and virtual learning, strengthens real-time data use, and ensures equitable access through a robust 1:1 program and emerging STEM pathways.
- Columbia Union School District (CA): For intentional integration of instructional technology, data-informed decision-making, and professional learning models that support personalized learning and long-term sustainability.
- New Hyde Park–Garden City Park Union Free School District (NY): For leveraging technology to modernize instruction and operations while maintaining a strong focus on equity, accessibility, and instructional coherence across schools.
10,000–60,000 students
- Agua Fria Union High School District (AZ): For national leadership in responsible AI integration, including in-house application development, districtwide AI literacy, and data systems that empower educators and students.
- Township High School District 211 (IL): For aligning curriculum, data, and digital tools at scale, creating systems that support instructional consistency, real-time insight, and innovative teaching practices across a complex district.
More than 60,001 students
- Clark County School District (NV): For a systemwide approach to infrastructure modernization, cybersecurity, and digital learning at scale, serving one of the nation’s largest and most diverse student populations.
- New York City Department of Education (NY): For advancing large-scale digital transformation, data capacity, and equitable access initiatives across the nation’s largest public school system.
The leadership award winners, by enrollment:
Up to 10,000 students
- Superintendent Marnie Hazelton—Englewood Public School District (NJ): For leading districtwide innovation, instructional vision, technology strategy, and community engagement to improve student outcomes.
10,001–60,000 students
- Matthew Joseph, assistant superintendent of technology & learning — New Bedford Public Schools (MA): For advancing cohesive digital learning systems, professional learning, and instructional technology strategies that support equity and consistency.
- Josh Schumacher, assistant superintendent for curriculum & instruction—Township High School District 211 (IL): For integrating curriculum leadership with data and digital tools to scale instructional improvement and innovation.
More than 60,001 students
- Superintendent Marc Smith—Fort Bend Independent School District (TX): For leading large-scale digital transformation efforts that strengthen instructional alignment, operational efficiency, and equitable access.