Strategies for Superintendents Leveraging Technology to Benefit Their School Districts
In the Dighton-Rehoboth Regional Schools in Massachusetts, Superintendent Bill Runey is revolutionizing education through innovative leadership, transparency, and community engagement.
Runey's approach to technology and communication has been instrumental in fostering trust, engagement, and collaboration. He was recently awarded the Innovative Leader Award for Innovative Superintendent by Tech & Learning Inc., recognising his leadership and the digital initiatives he has implemented.
Key elements of his strategy include:
- Leveraging digital communication tools: The district shares regular updates via digital newsletters and social media platforms, keeping families, staff, and the community informed and connected. This increased transparency and trust[4][5].
- Promoting innovation in leadership: Runey's leadership was specifically recognised for innovation, suggesting the use of new technologies or communication strategies to foster collaboration and engagement within the district[4][5].
- Maintaining transparency through evaluations and community feedback: He received positive evaluations from the school committee and an Exemplary rating, reflecting strong stakeholder trust achieved partly through effective communication and engagement practices[1][2].
- Fostering community and staff collaboration: By celebrating achievements such as the state champion softball team and hosting recognition events, Runey helps create a supportive, collaborative culture where staff and students feel valued and engaged[4][5].
Runey's presence in the community helps him gather feedback and understand the pulse of the district. He emphasises the importance of strategic communication in implementing technology in a school district. To strengthen transparent, two-way communication with the community, the district uses Apptegy.
In addition to regular communication, the district has equipped every school building with modern surveillance systems for safety. To empower staff with tech-enhanced instructional practices, Dighton-Rehoboth offers DREAM Seminars or embedded PD days.
Recent initiatives, such as alumni data outreach via Google Forms and digitization of yearbooks, have helped reconnect with graduates and celebrate shared history. In the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, the district uses innovative tools like z-Space VR laptops and CNC Machine.
Runey also prioritises access for students in special education through the use of adaptive technologies like Lexia, ST Math, and Wonders. The district has implemented speech-to-text software and interactive digital platforms to help students with disabilities engage more fully in the curriculum.
Lastly, Runey shows up for his students in various ways, including dressing as the school's falcon mascot and attending school events. The district uses TouchViews for interactive displays in their schools, further enhancing the learning experience.
In Dighton-Rehoboth, Runey's innovative use of technology and communication is driving change, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment, and keeping residents informed and engaged in shaping the future of the district.
- In Dighton-Rehoboth Regional Schools, Superintendent Bill Runey fosters learning by implementing technology like interactive digital platforms and adaptive tools such as Lexia, ST Math, and Wonders for students with disabilities.
- Runey's digital initiatives, including leveraging digital communication tools for transparency and safety measures like modern surveillance systems, have been met with positive appraisal, reflecting strong stakeholder trust.
- To strengthen two-way communication with the community, the district utilizes Apptegy and recognizes the importance of strategic communication in implementing technology in a school setting.
- Recognizing the significant role of technology in education-and-self-development and online-education, Runey prioritizes the use of z-Space VR laptops and CNC Machine in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program.
- The district promotes learning through innovative instructional practices that incorporate digital devices such as iPads and laptops.
- Runey's innovative approach to technology also includes equipping every school building with TouchViews for interactive displays and offering DREAM Seminars or embedded PD days to empower teachers with tech-enhanced methods.
- In addition to his innovative use of technology, Runey shows support for his students by engaging in the community, attending school events as the school's falcon mascot, and implementing programs that reconnect with alumni, like digitizing yearbooks and conducting alumni data outreach via Google Forms.
