Key takeaways
- The U.S. had 12,535 independent school districts in 2025 and 3,931 degree-granting institutions eligible for federal student aid in 2020–21.
- Many districts and public colleges budget on a July–June fiscal year, which shapes when purchases happen.
- Buying teams span leadership, IT, business offices, facilities and safety — and boards approve major contracts.
- KSG has reached campus public safety departments for Eastern Communications and campus safety agencies for Viridian.
The education market
Education is two markets: K-12 school systems, run by elected or appointed boards, and colleges and universities, public and private.
The Census Bureau counted 12,535 independent school districts in 2025, alongside school systems that operate as part of a city, county or state. The National Center for Education Statistics counted 3,931 degree-granting institutions participating in federal student aid programs in 2020–21. Each sets its own priorities, budgets and buying process.
Who buys in education
- K-12: superintendents and assistant superintendents, technology directors and CTOs, business officials and CFOs, facilities and operations directors, safety and security directors, school police chiefs, curriculum leaders and purchasing staff — with the school board approving budgets and major contracts.
- Higher education: CIOs, finance and procurement leaders, facilities, campus police and public safety, student affairs and academic leaders.
How education institutions buy
- Budget and board cycles. Budgets are typically built in the spring and adopted before the fiscal year begins, and many districts schedule installations over the summer.
- Cooperative contracts. Cooperatives such as E&I Cooperative Services focus on education, and broad cooperatives such as Sourcewell and TIPS also serve schools and colleges.
- Federal programs. The FCC's E-Rate program helps eligible schools and libraries pay for broadband and internal connections; other projects rely on federal and state grants.
- Committees. Larger purchases often involve evaluation committees with IT, finance, end users and administration.
How KSG approaches education outreach
- Research districts and institutions — enrollment, budgets, board agendas and plans.
- Target the right roles for your product, from the district office to campus departments.
- Time outreach to budget development and board cycles.
- Qualify and schedule meetings with context for your team.
Results
- Eastern Communications: outreach to large public safety agencies, including public safety departments at higher education institutions — 158 opportunities and $2 million+ in realized revenue.
- Viridian Weapon Technologies: 6,000+ agencies contacted, including campus safety agencies, and 212 trials secured.