May 01, 2026 • read

Meet Your 2026 Leader in Excellence Winners

Cassidy Downs
PR Pro, Recreational Writer, Edvocate

Cassidy Downs

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Each year, Skyward recognizes districts and individuals that go above and beyond with the Leader in Excellence Award. They solve problems, support their teams, and help students, staff, and families succeed.

Without further ado, let’s celebrate the 2026 Leader in Excellence winners... 🥁

Plano Independent School District – Qmlativ District Winner

Plano, TX
Prior to implementing Skyward, Plano Independent School District (PISD) faced challenges stemming from disparate systems creating data silos, redundant data entry, and security concerns. Protecting sensitive data for that population has been a top priority. Their previous systems created multiple points of vulnerability, but migrating to Skyward allowed them to centralize operations, providing 8,000 employees with an easy-to-use, secure platform to better serve their 46,000 students.

Improvement is already visible within the district: Parents take 30% less time to complete online enrollment applications, error rates in student records have decreased by 40% due to automated validation and fewer manual steps, and online forms now directly populate student data, reducing data entry and freeing campus staff for more impactful work.

PISD’s success was made possible by a true partnership between them and Skyward, built on mutual respect, shared goals, and a commitment to innovation. PISD is proud to be a model for other large districts undertaking similar digital transformations.

Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools – Qmlativ District Winner

Wisconsin Rapids, WI
For more than 20 years, Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools (WRPS) used Skyward’s SMS 2.0 to run their student operations, and had been using Alio ERP for finance/HR. Because they run several automated processes every day, WRPS discovered that migrating both their SIS and ERP to Qmlativ would resolve bugs and hiccups in their operations that had impacted many of their staff.

The move from Alio Finance to Qmlativ Finance/HR allowed for more efficiency by automating user account creation and deletion, purchasing integration with Amazon and other vendors, and workflows unavailable in Alio. Their budgeting process improved drastically, eliminating manual bookkeeping and reducing the risk of overspending. By consolidating time tracking and time-off management within Skyward, Wisconsin Rapids saved both time and money by eliminating the need to interface with multiple systems.

On the student side, WRPS was able to streamline many processes after they moved from SMS 2.0 to Qmlativ. Most notably, WRPS moved all their enrollment online by integrating the New Student Enrollment feature with Qmaltiv. Additionally, all third party software integrations were migrated to API connections with the new API Integration process. WRPS also enhanced communication between parents, students, and teachers, by using the robust online gradebook, the graduation planning module and the newly designed Family Access portal fostering transparency and collaboration among all stakeholders. WRPS anticipates further time and cost savings by automating as many processes as possible into the fabric of Qmlativ.

New Trier High School District 203 – SMS 2.0 to Qmlativ District Winner

Winnetka, IL
Over the years, staff at New Trier High School District 203 became experts on Skyward’s SMS 2.0 solution, but on November 24th of this past year, they began building their expertise in Qmlativ as a newly-migrated district. While it was a learning curve for all users, the platform allowed the business, HR, and migration teams to bond through their mutual learning experiences.

As they worked through the migration process, New Trier discovered that Qmlativ was an integral tool for retrieving and accessing data quickly, simplifying the user experience, and freeing up time due to ease of access for all users.

Even as New Trier HSD 203 is still navigating all of the ins and outs of Qmlativ, they are still learning more about Qmlativ’s features, and are continuing to advocate for and assist other districts to learn firsthand where and how they can see and use data in Qmlativ.

Liberty-Eylau ISD – SMS 2.0 District

Texarkana, TX
For nearly 20 years, Liberty-Eylau ISD has found Skyward’s SMS 2.0 solution to be a very effective tool for processing the district’s accounting, HR, payroll, and budgeting operations, unlike other providers in Texas in the years past. Skyward’s efficiency has been unmatched.

With SMS 2.0, the staff is finding it much easier to mitigate potential salary increases and to look at all potential funding changes in the budget as a whole, rather than having to enter everything by single line items, like they needed to in other systems.

Many hours of headaches have been cleared away for staff due to having the requisitions, POs, and check processing systems run so smoothly. Similarly, time and resources have been saved across the board by allowing department heads to enter their budget requests on their own, rather than needing to wait for processing.

Given that Liberty-Eylau’s Chief Financial Officer has experience with many other accounting systems in Texas, she can confidently say that, while Skyward might have a few quirks, it is a very useful system to have in the district.

Holly Stewart, Senior Data Administrator – Qmlativ Individual Winner

Crete-Monee School District 201U. Crete, IL
Holly played a key role in transforming the district’s process for managing employee time off allocations by training HR staff to use the ‘Allocate Time Off’ feature in Qmlativ. Previously completed manually, this task was prone to errors and consumed significant staff time. Holly guided the project from start to finish, completing detailed setup and working side by side with HR to ensure data accuracy and understanding. Thanks to her efforts, what was once labor-intensive is now streamlined to the press of a button, saving time, eliminating mistakes, and improving confidence in employee records.

Holly has greatly expanded staff understanding of Skyward by working directly with employees across every department. She answers questions thoroughly, resolves issues, and teaches efficient processes. When she notices someone struggling, she steps in to demonstrate smarter methods. Her approachable style and patient guidance have made her the district’s go-to resource for Skyward, empowering staff to feel confident using the system. Holly also demonstrated outstanding leadership during the district’s transition to Qmlativ, dedicating countless hours to preparing and validating data for an accurate, seamless migration.

She collaborates with finance, HR, curriculum, and administration to align processes and meet state reporting requirements. Her proactive approach, attention to detail, and ability to coordinate across teams have established her as a trusted leader. Beyond technical expertise, Holly is valued for her patience, dedication, and genuine care, making her a mentor and collaborator whose impact is felt across every department.

Theresa McConnell, Director of Technology – Qmlativ Individual Winner

Mohawk Area School District. New Castle, PA
Theresa McConnell has made an incredible impact on Mohawk Area School District. When she saw an opportunity to improve how the system analyzes student data, she took the lead, researching Skyward’s District Pulse solution and sharing her findings with the leadership team. Through her determination, Theresa convinced the team that it was the right fit. Thanks to her efforts, Mohawk now has a system that gives clearer insights and helps staff better understand student performance.

Her work didn’t stop there. Theresa has become the go-to person for all things Skyward. She’s created easy-to-follow resources, offers patient and timely support, and never gives up until a problem is solved. Because of her persistence and willingness to help, the district staff feels much more confident using the program.

What truly sets Theresa apart is her leadership style. She empowers others, fosters a positive environment, and brings contagious optimism to every interaction. She’s been recognized multiple times through the district’s Warrior P.R.I.D.E. kudos program, and it’s easy to see why: she’s always ready to lend a hand, share her knowledge, and lift others up. Theresa’s dedication and heart make her an invaluable part of the team and an excellent candidate for the Leader in Excellence Award.

Sean Schaeffer, Information Systems Manager – Qmlativ Individual Winner

Edmonds School District. Lynnwood, WA
Sean has become the district’s go-to expert for Report Designer, creating custom reports that meet complex needs with precision. He approaches every request as an opportunity to solve challenges, like recently delivering an Employment Verification report for HR that dramatically reduced staff time and effort. Sean is a strong advocate for district-wide Qmlativ training and never hesitates to pause his own work to assist others.

During the migration to Qmlativ, Sean kept stakeholders informed and ensured a smooth transition, and afterward, he continues to manage the team supporting Skyward across the board. His deep knowledge of Skyward, built over years at WSIPC supporting districts statewide, is unmatched. Sean’s leadership extends much further than just operations. He plays a key role on the Graduation Rate Taskforce, creating a parent communication report that alerts families to their student’s graduation status.

This report, generated twice annually, has earned praise from schools and families alike. Sean actively promotes Qmlativ at family events, staff trainings, and leadership meetings, demonstrating its ability to improve data access and drive student success. His commitment to maximizing Qmlativ’s potential, combined with his collaborative approach and technical expertise, has transformed how the district uses the system. With four years at Edmonds and a career dedicated to Skyward, Sean continues to be an invaluable resource and a driving force behind innovation and efficiency.

Kathy Reed, Data Steward – SMS 2.0 Individual Winner

Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation. Fortville, IN
Netting 13 LIE nominations from staff members in her district, Kathy Reed proves to be the backbone of Mt. Vernon’s data operations, and the ultimate Skyward expert. Her mastery of the system has transformed how her colleagues work, from streamlining day-to-day operations, reducing errors, and improving efficiency across every department. From overhauling online registration to ensuring data integrity for scheduling, reporting, and compliance, Kathy’s impact is felt daily by staff, families, and administrators alike.

Her leadership shines in moments of challenge. When the district opened its sixth school, Kathy and her team managed a massive data migration with minimal disruptions, a feat that speaks to her skill and dedication. She doesn’t just solve problems; she anticipates them, offering solutions before others even realize there’s an issue.

Beyond her technical expertise, Kathy is a gifted educator and mentor. She leads training sessions, creates clear guides, and provides one-on-one support to staff at all levels, including new teacher training. Her patient, hands-on approach empowers others to feel confident using Skyward. She has also built long-term support by mentoring team members and sharing her knowledge widely.

Kathy’s influence extends beyond her district. She contributes at state and national Skyward conferences, sharing best practices and representing Mt. Vernon with excellence. Her foresight, collaboration, and unwavering commitment make her indispensable. Recognizing Kathy with this award is not only deserved, but a celebration of the vital role she plays every single day.

Rick Seybold, Director of Technology & District Assessment Coordinator – SMS 2.0

Individual Winner Grafton School District. Grafton, WI
Rick Seybold has been a true cornerstone of the Grafton School District for the past 25 years. Not only has he combined unmatched technical expertise with a servant-leader mindset, but his mastery of Skyward is legendary. He’s taken the SMS 2.0 SIS and turned it into a powerful, integrated hub that drives efficiency, accuracy, and innovation. From automating enrollment and contract processes to streamlining assessment reporting and even bus route coordination, Rick has made complex tasks accessible for staff and families alike.

But Rick’s impact goes far beyond systems. He’s a teacher at heart who patiently guides colleagues through challenges all while building confidence, and empowering others to succeed. His approachable style and generosity have earned him respect not only in Grafton but across the region, where he’s known as the go-to expert for Skyward solutions. Rick leads with unique vision and unwavering commitment to what’s best for students. Whether training new teachers, supporting staff during the pandemic, or preparing for a seamless transition into retirement, Rick exemplifies excellence every single day.

Congratulations once again to our 2026 Leader in Excellence winners! 🥳

If these winners make you think of someone who used Skyward as a tool to make magic happen, we want to hear about it. Nominate an individual or district for the 2027 Leader in Excellence Award and help us recognize the work that truly matters. Learn more at skyward.com/leaders.

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