News

ERS Announces the Appointment of Mora Segal and Heather Peske to the Board of Directors
Education Resource Strategies (ERS) is pleased to announce that Mora Segal and Dr. Heather Peske have joined its Board of Directors. “We’re thrilled to welcome Mora and Heather to ERS’ Board of Directors,” said ERS CEO Jonathan Travers. “Together, they bring a powerful combination of expertise—from innovation in teaching and learning to deep experience in state systems and education non-profit…

Education Resource Strategies Announces Jonathan Travers as CEO
Education Resource Strategies (ERS) announced today that Jonathan Travers will step into the role of CEO effective July 1, 2026, following a planned leadership transition. After more than 20 years of service, Karen Hawley Miles will step down as CEO and transition to the role of Founder in Residence and remain Board Chair. Travers brings more than 25 years of experience in K-12 strategic resource use, including 20 years with ERS. This…

5 Districts That Inspired Us at SXSW EDU 2026
By Kaitlyn Chantry and Ben Beane We attended SXSW EDU 2026 expecting big ideas and ambitious sessions—but what stayed with us most were the moments that showed what’s already possible. Across sessions, we saw districts rethinking long‑standing constraints, educators sharing practical shifts already underway in schools, and systems making meaningful progress despite very real challenges.…

ERS Announces Launch of SPEND Initiative to Modernize National Education Data Infrastructure
National education nonprofit Education Resource Strategies (ERS) is thrilled to announce the launch of its new fiscally sponsored project, the Strategic Public Educational National Data (SPEND) Initiative, a non-partisan, public-interest organization dedicated to sustaining and modernizing the technical infrastructure that supports the nation’s education finance data. “For decades, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has provided the essential groundwork for understanding education finance in America,”…

I Believe in Public Education
By Karen Hawley Miles, CEO Despite widespread concern about the state of public K-12 education, most Americans believe their own children receive a good education. They overwhelmingly support increased funding and higher teacher salaries. And families share a common vision: They want their children to thrive, contribute to society, engage with people from various backgrounds, and adapt to a rapidly changing world. Yet, K-12 schools face significant challenges. District leaders…

ERS Welcomes Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez to the Board of Directors
Education Resource Strategies (ERS) is proud to announce that nationally recognized education leader and strategist Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez has joined its Board of Directors.

Putting Community at the Center of the Work: A Q&A With Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez, Former Superintendent of Hartford Public Schools
It’s been 20 years since ERS first started partnering with districts to transform schooling. As we celebrate this anniversary, we want to honor all our incredible partners, past and present. This is the third in our series of interviews where we’ll chat with our partners about their successes, lessons learned, and hopes for the future.…

School Portfolio Change Amid Declining Enrollment – AASA School Administrator Magazine
ERS Partner Angela King Smith was featured in the September 2025 issue of School Administrator Magazine, the official publication of AASA, The School Superintendents Association. The theme of the issue is “Managing Decline,” and examines solutions and strategies for superintendents handling enrollment decline, school mergers and closures in their school districts. Angela’s article, “School Portfolio…

ERS Announces Promotion of Jess O’Connor to Partner
Education Resource Strategies is excited to announce that Jess O’Connor has been promoted to the role of Partner. As leader of ERS’ School Design Practice Area, Jess brings a deep understanding of the resource shifts schools need to make to implement strategies that improve student outcomes, and the conditions necessary to scale and sustain those…

Lessons From a Lifelong Leader: A Q&A With Dr. Jim McIntyre, Dean of Belmont University’s College of Education and Former Boston Public Schools COO
Dr. Jim McIntyre, Dean of Belmont University’s College of Education, shares insights from his experience as a lifelong education leader and how working with ERS helped him along the way.

ERS Announces Promotion of Tara Anderson to Partner
Education Resource Strategies is thrilled to announce that Tara Anderson has been promoted to the role of Partner. Tara will lead ERS’ Human Capital Practice Area, where she will focus on helping districts and states Reimagine the Teaching Job to give educators the support they need and to help address today’s turnover and retention challenges.…

ERS Announces Kaitlyn Chantry as Chief Communications Officer
Education Resource Strategies is excited to announce that Kaitlyn Chantry will be taking on the role of Chief Communications Officer for the organization. Kaitlyn previously served as Director of Communications for ERS. In her new role, she will continue to lead the amplification of ERS’ mission, expanding the organization’s impact in the field. She brings more…

Ensuring Every Student Is a Ready Graduate: A Q&A With Dr. Adrienne Battle, Superintendent of Metro Nashville Public Schools
This Q&A interview with Dr. Battle, superintendent of Metro Nashville Public Schools, highlights her district’s inspiring approach to high school redesign, the initiatives that have proven most impactful for students, and her vision for the future.

Teacher Contracts Need to Change. And It’s Not Just About Money
In this op-ed published by Education Week, ERS’ Karen Hawley Miles and David Rosenberg break down how changes to teacher contracts can lead to improved retention and student outcomes.

ERS Partner David Rosenberg Joins Overdeck Family Foundation for Interview on Strategic Staffing
ERS Partner David Rosenberg recently joined Jessica Fredston-Hermann for the Overdeck Family Foundation’s Spotlight On Innovation series.

ERS Announces Appointment of Katie Roy to Partner and General Counsel
Education Resource Strategies is excited to announce that Katie Roy has been appointed to the role of Partner and General Counsel.

ERS Article Featured in School Business Affairs’ “The People Issue”
Written by Tara Anderson, David Rosenberg, and Ash Holland, “How a Strategic Compensation Model Can Promote Teacher Sustainability” offers actionable strategies for a pressing issue many districts are facing today: creating a sustainable and well-compensated teaching job.

Eric Gordon Joins ERS Board of Directors
Education Resource Strategies (ERS) is proud to announce that Eric Gordon has joined its Board of Directors.

The Strategic Small School: Supporting Quality and Sustainability in Schools of Every Size
District leaders have an opportunity to balance school consolidation with the optimization of small schools through intentional design: an approach that can result in more sustainable schooling models and more excellent student experiences.

Opportunity to Promote Resource Equity through Resource Allocation Reviews
Organizing resources to support students with the greatest learning needs is a powerful lever for creating more high-quality student experiences. Resources don’t just include money—they also include the people and time needed to create student experiences that ensure high learning outcomes.