Partnering for Purpose: Dr. Dana Anderson on Ethics, Equity, and the Future of School Tech
“We’re not just buying tools—we’re stewarding public trust.”
— Dr. Dana Anderson, CEO of the Washington School Information Processing Cooperative
In the world of K–12 education, purchasing technology is about far more than price tags. It’s about relationships, accountability, equity, and ethics. In this episode of Vetted by Mark Vetter, Dr. Dana Anderson, CEO of the Washington School Information Processing Cooperative (WSIPC), explains how his team helps districts across Washington make smarter, safer, and more transparent technology decisions.
His background? A small-town teacher-turned-superintendent with global perspective—now leading one of the only statewide public cooperatives of its kind in the nation.
From Shared Paper Buys to Statewide Infrastructure
WSIPC started with ten districts in the late 1960s who simply wanted to buy paper in bulk. They succeeded—and got bold. In 1969, they bought a mainframe computer, betting big that tech would shape the future of schools. They were right.
Today, WSIPC supports hundreds of districts with everything from Skyward SIS hosting to technology purchasing contracts, cybersecurity vetting, and AI policy exploration. Through it all, Dana emphasizes that their mission has stayed the same: equity, efficiency, and ethics in service of students.
Why WSIPC Contracts Are More Than Just “Deals”
School tech leaders often weigh dozens of national purchasing options. So why go with WSIPC?
Dana’s answer is simple: local knowledge and built-in accountability.
“We’re governed by Washington ESDs. We understand Washington laws, audits, and ethics. We don’t just help you get a contract—we help you protect your district.”
He also highlights the deep trust built across Washington's network of educational service districts, superintendents, and IT leaders—a foundation national contracts just don’t have.
Cybersecurity & AI: The New Front Lines
Dana sees cybersecurity and AI as two of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—facing schools today. From phishing risks to student data misuse, the threats are growing faster than many small districts can keep up.
WSIPC is responding with:
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Internal security audits and training
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A Cybersecurity Advisory Council
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A draft K–12 cybersecurity framework for districts
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Plans to hire a statewide CISO (Chief Information Security Officer)
On the AI front, WSIPC is actively hosting summits, exploring policies, and pushing vendors to meet new standards for data privacy, bias checking, and ethical use.
“We’re not just asking what AI can do. We’re asking: who does it serve, how is data protected, and how do we keep students safe?”
Ethics That Actually Mean Something
Unlike private companies, WSIPC is a public entity accountable to public dollars. That means:
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No reimbursable alcohol or gift card perks
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Full compliance with WA State auditing rules
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Ongoing ethics training for every employee
Dana shares that these values aren’t just policies—they’re cultural guardrails. “We don’t see vendors as salespeople. We see them as partners. And our responsibility is to steward those partnerships with integrity.”
Centering Students Amid Rapid Change
As AI, infrastructure, and innovation accelerate, Dana worries about one thing: losing sight of the mission.
“All this change is powerful—but if it doesn’t support student outcomes, it’s just noise.”
He advocates for leadership that constantly re-centers purpose. For tech directors, that means making sure the tools, policies, and contracts in place don’t just check boxes—but actually improve learning, equity, and access.
🎧 Listen to the full episode:
Vetted by Mark Vetter with Dr. Dana Anderson
💡 Topics: Public procurement, K–12 cybersecurity, AI policy, ethics in edtech