Burbio School Tracker 12/16: Forecasting

1. Burbio's Superintendent Turnover Tracker measures nationwide changes in the role, tracking open positions, where outgoing Superintendents go, and the background of their replacements. This week we present a chart showing the tenure of Superintendents of the 500 largest districts. Just over 40% of Superintendents started their role during FY 23-24 or later:

2. Burbio detects tens of thousands of AI-powered Signals every week using prompts tailored to each client’s objectives, and we deliver the results in our Intelligence Hub, over email and via API. This week we highlight the top five trends from districts that are investing in STEM and CTE programs, taken from school board meetings from the last two months:

• Prioritize Work-Based Learning (WBL) and Career Exploration and on bridging the gap between classroom instruction and real-world employment. Initiatives include job shadows, internships, and partnerships with local employers, while reviewing curriculum to align with work-based learning requirements.

• Investment in facilities and Infrastructure: Districts are moving forward with new STEM & CTE centers, substantial renovations to existing CTE spaces, and new dedicated buildings for CTE programs, such as agricultural or construction facilities.

• Expansion of Pathways in technical fields such as healthcare, skilled trades, construction, and manufacturing, and industries such as aerospace.

• Integration of advanced technology STEM offerings: particularly those involving computer science, robotics, and emerging technologies, and introducing courses like cybersecurity and data science while integrating AI into CTE programming.

• Strengthening postsecondary and industry partnerships: This includes dual enrollment opportunities with community colleges, contracts for specialized certification coursework, and building partnerships with local industries to align curriculum and support career pathways.

3. With ESSER funding expired and federal funding shifting, forecasting has become more challenging for K-12 suppliers. Burbio is introducing a District Research and Territory Planning Agent that generates sector-specific summaries of a district’s priorities, initiatives, and suppliers by analyzing board minutes, strategic and facilities plans, budgets, bonds, vendor payments, and more. The tool saves hours of research per district and supports targeted sales planning.

A video of the agent can be found here. One summary section, “New Programs or Initiatives,” is highlighted below with examples from districts in the Mental Health vertical:

• In Bellevue School District, WA, the 2024–2030 Strategic Plan aims to increase the share of stakeholders who report that Bellevue is living up to its value as a “Beloved Community,” emphasizing student mental and emotional safety, measured through surveys, HIB/discrimination reports, and staff participation in equity-based professional learning.

• In Iowa City Community School District, IA, the district reviewed mental health supports, including SEBH services, counseling, SEL instruction, therapeutic partnerships, and universal screening practices. Future priorities focus on expanded programming, improved coordination across schools, crisis response, and staff wellness.

• In Colorado Springs District 11, CO, Social, Emotional, and Cognitive Learning (SECL) has been identified as a district-wide root cause requiring systemic improvement, with schools implementing morning meetings, advisory periods, and standalone SEL lessons to develop students' self-regulation, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

• In the School District of Philadelphia, PA, the Office of Prevention and Intervention Next Steps Internship program places graduate students in school counseling and social work internships across the district, with financial incentives for interns who accept positions as school counselors or STEP team members.

4. Burbio now bundles RFPs into our PreK-12 Intelligence Hub. Information is filterable by category, speeding up the identification of relevant opportunities. HVAC is one of the largest categories for RFPs, and the bids range from HVAC replacement to parts and services. Some examples from just the last few days:

• Campbell County School District, WY, is replacing an HVAC system at an elementary school.

• Anaheim Union High School District, CA, is replacing HVAC filters district-wide.

• Laredo ISD, TX, is seeking subcontractors to provide preventive maintenance, repair, replacement and installation of new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment.

• Sachem Central School District, NY, is looking to replace boiler/burner parts and supplies.

• Chicago Public Schools, IL, is soliciting bids for a chiller replacement at Columbia Explorer School.