Maintaining pace with the latest technology can be the difference of staying in business – or not – for many companies.

But it’s not just for-profit businesses that feel the pressure to keep up technologically.

Outdated technology can cost public schools too. And it costs more than time and money, including grants. It’s also costing them some of their most valuable commodity.

Nearly two in three K-12 districts across the United States lost teachers to other school systems in the past year because employees sought a more advanced technology experience, according to a recent study published by The Workforce Institute at UKG, a think tank that helps organizations drive performance by addressing human capital management issues that affect hourly and salaried employees.

The research conducted between July 22 and August 3 analyzed responses from 204 central office administrators spanning human resources, finance and payroll functions within K-12 public schools in the United States.

K-12 administrators agree — almost unanimously (94%) — that teachers’ technology expectations at work have peaked as a result of the pandemic, and 71% said they struggled to hire new teachers in the past year.

More than three-fourths of K-12 schools tracked an unexpected increase in teacher retirements and two-thirds struggled to retain educators – many of whom decamped for other districts offering a more sophisticated technology experience, the study found.

“As the nation’s prolonged labor crisis affords jobseekers greater career flexibility, technology is needed to create the competitive and rewarding technology-enabled experience sought by today’s top talent,” says Rob Tibbs, K-12 industry principal at UKG.

While Jason Roseberry, president of Five Star Technology Solutions, agrees that technology in schools is critical, he doesn’t think the situation is as dire in Indiana.

Five Star Technology Solutions is a Jeffersonville-based company that helps K-12 schools design and manage their technology to better educate students and help educators make better decisions.

Five Star also built the Indiana Learning Lab, which is designed to support educators with instructional resources, professional development opportunities and other best practices – including live on-demand workshops and live coaching by the Indiana Department of Education.

“I feel Indiana is far ahead of other states,” stresses Roseberry. “We’ve always had leaders at the Indiana Department of Education level that saw the vision for technology and how it can make a difference. There are a lot of other states that aren’t doing as much.

“We have resources and grants for technology and just as importantly, we have leaders advocating for technology from a policy standpoint,” he adds.

Roseberry, whose wife is a teacher, said that doesn’t mean Hoosier educators aren’t under pressure.

“Teachers are under more stress and have more responsibilities than at any other time.”

And that has put a premium on technology in K-12 schools.

“Educators definitely see that technology increases two things that matter most; their efficiency and their efficacy,” explains Roseberry. “So from that standpoint, it isn’t surprising to see teachers pursue schools with the best technology.”

Anthony Schoettle is the director of communications for the Indiana Chamber. He started with the Chamber in 2021 after a long career in journalism. He’s won multiple awards for his storytelling ability on a wide range of business topics.