The CTO’s Strategic Guide to Sustainability
The CTO’s Strategic Guide to Sustainability
Submitted by Louis McDonald, CoSN Project Director
As a Chief Technology Officer or IT Director, you are likely managing a large line item in the district budget. With the U.S. EdTech market valued at $30.4 billion in 2024 and expected to nearly double by 2033, technology procurement is no longer just about a hardware refresh. It is a critical lever for your district’s financial and operational resilience.
Sustainability in the IT office isn’t just about being “green.” It is about buying smart. It means moving away from the “lowest upfront cost” mindset toward a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) strategy that accounts for the full lifecycle of every device. For example, San Diego Unified, for example, saved $90 million over 12 years simply by prioritizing long-term sustainable initiatives.
Breaking the Cycle of “Chromebook Churn”
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The biggest hurdle to budget stability is the short replacement cycle of instructional tech. Many budget devices have built-in end dates tied to software support expiration. This “Chromebook Churn” forces IT teams to retire perfectly functional hardware, saddling the district with premature replacement costs and mountains of e-waste. Nationally, doubling the usable lifespan of K–12 devices could save an estimated $1.8 billion.
To help districts address this challenge, the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), in partnership with SETDA and UDT, developed the Sustainable Procurement Guidelines. This framework offers a menu of options across six pillars to help you build a more durable fleet.
The Six Pillars of Sustainable Procurement
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1. Long Product Lifespan: Factor Automatic Update Expiration (AUE) dates into your TCO analysis. Mandate durability standards like MIL-STD-810H to ensure devices can withstand daily student use.
2. Modularity and Repairability: A broken keyboard or battery should not send a device to surplus. Require vendors to guarantee spare parts and repair documentation for at least five years, supporting in-house repair and aligning with the growing Right to Repair movement.
3. Energy Efficiency: Energy is often the second-largest operating expense in schools. Requiring ENERGY STAR or EPEAT-certified devices delivers measurable reductions in utility costs over time.
4. E-Waste Reduction: A circular approach that prioritizes reuse, refurbishment, and responsible recycling keeps hazardous materials out of landfills while preserving residual value.
5. Recyclable and Sustainable Materials: Look for vendors that use high percentages of recycled or renewable content. This lowers the environmental footprint and often enhances device durability.
6. Vendor Sustainable Practices: Move beyond marketing claims. Require vendors to provide verifiable documentation on packaging, supply chain practices, and shipping methods.
Short Wins for Immediate Impact
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Sustainability can feel like eating an elephant, but you can see results by starting with these four short wins:
• Mandate Energy Standards: Writing ENERGY STAR or EPEAT requirements into your next RFP is the easiest way to show immediate energy savings to your board.
• Invest in Rugged Protection: Spending a little extra upfront on high-quality protective cases can be the difference between a device lasting three years or six. It cuts repair rates drastically and keeps students focused on learning rather than broken hardware.
• Build in Trade-ins: Avoid stockpiling obsolete equipment
• Contractually mandate buyback or trade-in programs. Parma City Schools used this strategy to maximize the value of 6,000 used devices, using the proceeds to fund their next refresh.
Every purchase you make tells a story about your district’s priorities. By choosing durability and efficiency, you aren’t just saving money, you’re building a more resilient learning environment for your students.
References
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(1) NetworkNurture Hub, “United States K-12 Education Technology Spend Market Size.” LinkedIn, 25 May 2025, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/united-states-k-12-education-technology-spend-market-2rlce/
(2) CoSN, “K-12 Environmental Sustainability in EdTech.” CoSN, 2025, http://www.cosn.org/environmental-sustainability/
(3) McDonald, Louis. “Procurement That Builds K-12 Financial & Environmental Sustainability.” NGLC, 2025, http://www.nextgenlearning.org/articles/procurement-building-financial-and-environmental-sustainability-in-k-12
(4) McNeil, Katie. “Building Energy-Efficient Schools: Cutting Carbon and Costs.” Verizon Business, 2022, https://www.verizon.com/business/resources/articles/s/building-energy-efficient-schools-can-help-cut-carbon-and-costs/
(5) Schleuss, Jon, and Lucas Schulz. Chromebook Churn: The High Cost of the K-12 Tech Revolution. U.S. PIRG Education Fund,2023, https://uspirg.org/edfund/resources/chromebook-churn/
(6) “RELEASE: All 50 States Now Have Filed Right to Repair Legislation over Last 8 Years.” PIRG, 24 Feb. 2025, http://pirg.org/media-center/release-all-50-states-now-have-filed-right-to-repair-legislation-over-last-8-years/
(7) Learn21. “Maximizing Device Lifespan: A Smarter Approach to Technology Management.” LinkedIn, 11 Mar. 2025, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/maximizing-device-lifespan-smarter-approach-technology-management-1bfgc
(8) Tech to School. “Case Studies | Learning Initiatives.” Tech to School, 2025, https://techtoschool.com/pages/case-studies