At the Learning Logistics & Tech Tour in Belton, Missouri, Scott Jones, Chief Technology Officer for Kansas City Public Schools, delivered an insightful presentation on reshaping the role of IT in education. His focus? Turning an IT department that was once viewed as a barrier into a trusted enabler for teaching and learning.

“When I came to the district, I inherited an IT department that was not trusted,” Jones began. “For whatever reason, my predecessors did not foster a culture that helped IT become an enabler. My number one job was to create a culture within IT where we helped people educate students instead of becoming barriers with devices and technology. Technology needs to just work.”

Jones described the task of rebuilding trust within the district as a foundational step toward achieving his vision. One of his first priorities was to address how IT staff interacted with educators, administrators, and other stakeholders.

“The worst thing for an IT person is to talk to someone non-technical and come across as disrespectful, demeaning, or dismissive,” he explained. “Mansplaining is a term, right? We do not tolerate that. Our job is to meet people where they are, regardless of their technical knowledge or experience.”

To guide this transformation, Jones implemented core pillars for his IT team:

• Humility: Approaching every interaction with respect and an open mind.
• World-Class Service: Prioritizing customer service to ensure technology problems are solved efficiently and with care.
• IT Curiosity: Fostering a mindset of continuous learning and innovation.
• Team Player: Building a cohesive team that collaborates to support the district’s goals.

By embedding these values into the department’s operations, Jones has begun to reshape the IT culture into one that educators and staff can rely on as a partner in their mission to educate students.

Jones emphasized the importance of providing “white glove service” to the district’s staff. “When technology problems come up, we focus on helping everyone solve them quickly and with empathy,” he said. “It’s about creating an experience where people feel supported, not frustrated.”

This approach has helped build bridges between IT and other departments, creating a collaborative environment where technology serves as a tool for innovation rather than an obstacle.

Jones’s presentation served as a testament to the power of leadership in transforming not just systems, but the culture of an organization. His efforts to rebuild trust, foster collaboration, and deliver exceptional service have redefined the role of IT at Kansas City Public Schools.

“Technology is the backbone of modern education,” Jones concluded. “When it’s implemented thoughtfully and supported by a team committed to excellence, it empowers educators to do what they do best—teach. And that’s our ultimate goal.”

Scott Jones’s leadership at Kansas City Public Schools offers valuable lessons for districts nationwide. By prioritizing trust, service, and collaboration, he has turned a struggling IT department into a cornerstone of educational success, demonstrating that with the right culture, technology can truly be an enabler of transformative learning experiences.

Tune in to the full presentation below.