Non-Technical Leadership & Risk

Across the United States, K-12 schools have invested heavily in digital infrastructure during the 2020s. From one-to-one laptop programs to cloud-based grading systems, technology now underpins nearly every aspect of education. Yet many districts still rely on leaders who lack the technical expertise needed to oversee these systems effectively.

Recent studies underscore the risks. Reis-Andersson (2024) found that school leaders with limited digital competence often mismanage technology integration, leaving teachers without the training or support they need. Similarly, AlAjmi (2022) showed that principals without strong digital leadership skills struggled to guide teachers through technology-driven transitions during the pandemic. In the U.S., Liu (2024) highlighted how gaps in leadership contribute directly to widening digital inequities between schools and students.

The consequences of non-technical leadership go beyond poor decision-making. In many districts, a lack of digital fluency at the top creates an over-reliance on a single “technology expert” within the district. Without proper vetting or oversight, that individual may wield unchecked influence over hundreds of thousands of dollars in purchasing decisions, cybersecurity practices (or lack thereof), access to student or staff data, and instructional technology choices. This not only increases the risk of misallocated funds, crossing privacy boundaries and ineffective tools but also leaves districts vulnerable to security failures or unethical practices that go unnoticed until it is too late.

In short, when school boards and superintendents lack digital literacy, they inadvertently create environments where both instructional quality, student safety and cybersecurity are at risk. U.S. schools cannot afford to treat technology as a secondary concern. Strong oversight, external audits, and leadership training in digital competence are essential safeguards to protect students, teachers, and taxpayers alike. 

Author Valerie Leuchtmann September 20, 2025