The nation’s K–12 schools are bracing for budget cuts resulting from the global economic downturn. And while it’s always important to work across departments, a district IT leader’s relationship with one particular administrator — the school business officer — could make a difference in the current environment.

“When it really comes down to it, without the synergy between CTOs and school business officials, none of our funding efforts will be successful,” Frankie Jackson, director of strategic initiatives for Texas K–12 CTO Council, said during CoSN2020, the Consortium for School Networking’s virtual annual conference.

Jackson, who is also a former CTO, and Keith Bockwoldt, CIO for Hinsdale High School District 86 in Illinois, presented recommendations and examples of how CTOs and SBOs can support each other.