If you’ve ever wondered why teachers seem buried under administrative paperwork instead of spending time with students, you’re not imagining it. School administrators have long struggled with clunky systems that pull them away from the work that matters most—supporting children’s learning. A landmark conference this year brought together the brightest minds in K-12 education to explore a different path forward.
Innovation Takes Center Stage
Skyward’s 23rd Innovators Conference (iCon) convened February 25-27, 2026, in St. Pete Beach, Florida, drawing more than 400 K-12 education leaders. This year’s event spotlighted Qmlativ, the company’s AI-powered Student Information System (SIS) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform designed specifically for modern school districts.
With over 80 sessions led by Skyward experts, district administrators, and business partners, attendees explored deep dives into Qmlativ optimization, migration preparation from older systems, and practical strategies for improving district operations. The highly sought-after one-on-one help room provided individualized support for both current Qmlativ users and districts preparing to transition from SMS 2.0.
400+ K-12 leaders just explored how AI can help teachers spend more time with students and less time on paperwork. Here's what they discovered.
Why Administrative Innovation Matters for Students
School administrators face an impossible balancing act—managing mountains of data, compliance requirements, and operational tasks while trying to remain present for students and teachers. Skyward, a school administration software provider committed to helping K-12 leaders spend less time on tasks and more time with students, hosted this conference to address exactly that challenge.
“This year’s iCon made it clear: districts are ready for a more modern, connected future,” said Tom King, chief marketing officer at Skyward. “With Skyward driving that transformation, we’re seeing schools streamline operations and elevate experiences in meaningful ways. It’s exciting to witness what becomes possible when innovation and purpose come together.”
Quote: This year’s iCon made it clear: districts are ready for a more modern, connected future. With Skyward driving that transformation, we’re seeing schools streamline operations and elevate experiences in meaningful ways. It’s exciting to witness what becomes possible when innovation and purpose come together. | Attribution: Tom King, Chief Marketing Officer, Skyward
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
Recognizing Excellence in Innovation
The conference also celebrated the 2026 Leader in Excellence Awards, honoring individuals and districts that use Skyward solutions in innovative, high-impact ways. Recipients represented districts across the country that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to leveraging technology for student success.
Districts recognized included Plano Independent School District (TX) and Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools (WI) as Qmlativ district winners, New Trier High School District 203 (IL) for SMS 2.0 to Qmlativ migration, and Liberty-Eylau ISD (TX) as an SMS 2.0 district winner. Individual winners included Holly Stewart, Theresa McConnell, Sean Schaeffer, Kathy Reed, and Rick Seybold for their innovative approaches to data administration and technology leadership.
Key takeaways
- 400+ K-12 Leaders Unite: More than 400 education administrators gathered at Skyward's iCon 2026 to explore AI-powered school administration solutions.
- AI-Driven Efficiency: The conference focused on Qmlativ, designed to help administrators spend less time on tasks and more time supporting students.
- Innovation Recognized: Districts and individuals were honored for creative approaches to leveraging technology for student success.
The Future of School Administration
Next year’s Innovators Conference will take place February 24-26, 2027, at TradeWinds Island Grand Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida, continuing the conversation about modernizing K-12 operations. For more than 45 years, Skyward has helped more than 2,500 school districts save time, connect with families, and empower success through advanced technology guided by actual users.
The shift toward AI-powered administrative solutions represents a broader trend in education: using technology to remove barriers between educators and students. When administrators spend less time fighting with outdated systems, they can focus on what truly matters—creating environments where every child can thrive.
Quote: Thanks to winning the Leader in Excellence Award, I was able to attend iCon for the first time. The award has been a tremendous feeling of accomplishment for me and Grafton School District. My district has used Skyward since 1991, and I am excited to bring back new ideas from iCon that we can use in the future. | Attribution: Rick Seybold, Director of Technology and District Assessment Coordinator, Grafton School District
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
At Learning Success, we believe every child deserves educators who can focus on what matters most—nurturing their potential. When systems work FOR educators instead of against them, everyone benefits. That’s the same principle that guides our approach: remove the barriers that stand between children and the support they need to thrive. If you’re ready to explore tools and strategies that help your family move forward, the Learning Success All Access Program offers a free trial that includes a personalized Action Plan—and you keep that plan even if you decide it’s not the right fit.
See what All Access gives your child
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You describe what you see at home. We turn it into a plan you start this week.
- Answer 5 short questionnaires about what you already notice, 30–45 minutes at your own kitchen table
- Your child sits no test and gets no score: nothing to schedule, nothing for them to dread
- You do the answering, the AI does the writing, and a person reviews it before it reaches you
- Access all 40+ courses instantly: reading, math, focus, processing and more, with new ones added regularly
Why we use AI, plainly: it writes from a knowledge base our team maintains and audits. We work through it line by line and pull anything the evidence stops supporting. The roadmap you get on Tuesday reflects what we corrected on Monday, and a human still reads it before you do.
Your school district must evaluate your child free of charge if you ask in writing, whatever your income and whatever the outcome (US, 34 CFR 300.111 and 300.301(b)). That route takes time and answers a different question than you do. This one starts today, from what you already know.
Your answers stay yours. We do not sell your personal information, and we do not hand identifiable assessment data to outside AI companies to train their models.
A screener is a starting point, not a diagnosis. If your child might need formal accommodations (an IEP or 504 plan), or you suspect a vision, hearing or medical cause, pursue a professional evaluation too. That is the only route to those supports.
References
- GlobeNewswire via The Manila Times - Skyward's iCon 2026 Delivers Future-Focused Conference
