As districts prepare their budgets for the 2025–26 school year, financial decision-making is growing more complex. With ESSER deadlines approaching and long-term sustainability top of mind, procurement teams are under pressure to justify spending, stretch limited resources, and maximize ROI on every dollar spent.
At Edtrax, we’ve been tracking how district purchasing priorities are shifting — and what that means for leaders navigating this moment.
Districts are assessing spending records
With growing deficits and public scrutiny, many districts are reviewing past spending to identify what’s working — and what’s not.
- Midland ISD (TX) is addressing a $41.1 million shortfall by consolidating roles and reducing central office costs [1]
- Fresno USD (CA) eliminated over 100 positions to save $7.5 million after a detailed budget review [2]
- Chicago Public Schools is preparing for structural imbalances post-ESSER and is reassessing underused contracts and programs [3]
The focus isn’t just on cuts — it’s on aligning dollars to long-term priorities.
The ESSER deadline is forcing hard tradeoffs
With the ESSER III obligation deadline looming (September 30, 2024), districts are weighing what they can sustainably carry forward.
- Norwalk Public Schools (CT) faces a $7.8M shortfall as ESSER-funded roles phase out [4]
- Oregon districts had spent just over 50% of ESSER III allocations by mid-2023, prompting concern from state leaders [5]
- Dallas ISD is reviewing hundreds of positions funded through ESSER ahead of the upcoming budget cycle [6]
Districts that document what worked — and why — will be better positioned to preserve key initiatives.
Technology procurement is becoming more structured
After the rapid ESSER-era expansion of digital tools, districts are tightening how they purchase and manage technology.
- LAUSD has adopted a centralized IT asset management system to track inventory and plan for refresh cycles [7]
- In North Carolina, the Department of Public Instruction provides districts with access to a centralized e-procurement platform aimed at streamlining workflows and improving consistency in purchasing processes [8]
These shifts reflect a broader move from ad hoc purchasing toward long-term infrastructure strategy.
Ed tech tools are being evaluated for impact
Districts are scrutinizing the cost and effectiveness of digital tools as part of the renewal process.
- Baltimore County Public Schools uses analytics and educator feedback to guide product decisions and renewals [9]
- More districts are adopting internal review processes that prioritize engagement data and learning outcomes
The era of “just-in-case” edtech is giving way to “prove-it-or-lose-it” evaluation.
More districts are using cooperative contracts
Collaborative purchasing is gaining traction as districts look to simplify procurement, reduce administrative overhead, and access vetted vendors more efficiently.
- Programs like the Illinois Learning Technology Purchase Program (ILTPP) offer districts a way to streamline tech and software purchasing through pre-negotiated contracts and state-aligned pricing [10]
- In North Carolina, state-supported e-procurement tools make it easier for district teams to comply with purchasing rules while saving time on sourcing decisions [8]
While usage varies by state, these models are particularly useful for smaller or under-resourced procurement teams.
The trends shaping school procurement this year reflect a broader recalibration: more scrutiny, more intention, and a sharper focus on long-term value.
As ESSER funds expire, districts have a chance to do more than just make ends meet. This is an opportunity to strengthen procurement systems, build transparency, and align spending with what works — not just what’s available.
The districts that approach this moment proactively will be better equipped to navigate funding shifts, justify investments, and build sustainable strategies that hold up over time.
References
- Midland ISD faces tough decisions amid $41 million budget crisis
- More than 100 job cuts could be coming to Fresno Unified. Here’s what we know
- Financial Landscape Analysis of the Chicago Public School District: FY2025
- Norwalk Public Schools struggle with ‘challenges ahead’ amid $7.8M fiscal cliff
- Oregon school districts face ‘budget blues’ as federal funding ends, state funding decisions await
- Dallas school trustees pass budget that cuts hundreds of staff positions
- Los Angeles Unified School District IT Asset Management
- North Carolina eProcurement
- Baltimore County Public Schools Evaluation Framework
- Illinois Learning Technology Purchase Program