Technology is super important in schools these days. Whether it’s keeping the Wi-Fi safe or just making sure the iPads work in class, tech support has a big effect on things. 

As schools expand, big question appears: Do you hire an IT person, or get an outside provider to handle it? The answer isn’t the same for every school. It really comes down to how big the school is, budget, and what kind of tech support you need. Let’s check out both options.  

Why Hire In-House 

Having your own IT staff can feel like the natural choice. You’ve got someone who knows the school, the people, and the quirks of your systems. When something breaks, they’re right there. 

The upsides are clear: 

• They’re familiar with the campus and routines. 

• Teachers and staff see the same person, which builds trust. 

• Day-to-day fixes usually happen quickly. 

The challenge? A single person can only handle so much. If they’re out sick, things wait. If something comes up that’s outside their skill set, you may need extra help anyway. On top of that, salaries, benefits, and training all add up fast. 

Why Outsource IT 

Outsourcing IT brings in a full team of experts rather than relying on one person. That can mean: 

• 24/7 monitoring—even after business hours. 

• Specialists in areas like cybersecurity, cloud, or networking. 

• Services that scale to accommodate the growth of the school.  

• A predictable monthly cost that makes budgeting easier. 

The tradeoff is that you might not always have someone there in person right away. But some providers alleviate this with hybrid models that include scheduled visits or onsite support when needed. 

A Middle Ground 

For most schools, the best setup is a blend of both. You’ve got an in-house person who handles the day-to-day classroom issues, and an outside provide who handles the bigger projects, system refreshes, or security. This way, you don’t overextend your budget, but you still get deep expertise when you really need it.  

Thinking about making a decision? Ask yourself these things:  

• Do we need more coverage than one person can realistically provide? 

• Are we struggling to hire or hold onto IT staff? 

• Is cybersecurity a growing concern? 

• Are our technology needs growing faster than we can keep up? 

If you’re saying yes to any of these, then it may be time to think about getting some outside help—or at least a hybrid approach. 

Closing Thought 

Technology is always changing, and so are school needs. So, don’t think of this as a one-time decision. What you really want is to make sure  is that your tech support is dependable, safe, affordable and can handle whatever comes up.