Forecast for 2025: Hot Savings, Cool Solutions
As independent schools gear up for 2025, operational teams are setting the tone with hot trends that boost efficiency and sustainability while leaving outdated practices in the rearview mirror. Leading the “hot” list is:
Artificial Intelligence in operations and the classroom. From AI-assisted personalized learning plans to tools that streamline administrative tasks, schools are leaning into technology that gives teachers more time to teach and administrators more time to be strategic and visionary. 
Automation in the business office. From invoice processing to payroll, independent schools are embracing software solutions that eliminate tedious manual tasks and reduce errors, freeing time for strategic decision-making.
Enhanced employee well-being programs. In HR, these programs are stealing the spotlight, with a focus on mental health, flexible work options, and professional development opportunities that help retain top-tier talent.
Meanwhile, some trends are cooling off.
Paper-heavy accounting and HR processes are being traded for digital platforms that streamline operations and align with sustainability goals.
And bye-bye to static benefits packages, with HR teams shifting to customizable offerings that meet the diverse needs of today’s workforce.
The independent school operations landscape in 2025 is all about working smarter, freeing up valuable time, and taking care of the people who make it all possible.
What’s your team turning up the heat on this year?
trending in the right direction:
Check out these favorite finds from Demco’s Customer Council.
Partnering with library and education professionals is one of the many ways that Demco ensures they are providing sought-after solutions for your learning environments.
Enhancing School Security with AI: The Future of Safer Campuses.
The safety of students, staff, and visitors is a top priority for educational institutions, and AI offers a wide array of tools to improve campus security, detect threats, and respond in real-time. From smart surveillance systems to predictive analytics, AI can transform how schools protect their communities.
Over the past year, Sora has listened to feedback from schools and introduced new features and catalog offerings to support your efforts in growing students’ love of reading. Here are the highlights from 2024:
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Read to Me: An in-app text-to-speech feature to provide students with extra reading support.
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Word pronunciation: An addition to the define functionality, this updated feature allows students to hear how a word is pronounced.
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Sign in using another device: Easily sign in to Sora on a new device by scanning a QR code or entering an 8-character code from a device that is already logged in.
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CPC budget options: You can now create multiple, mixed-format Cost Per Circ budgets in Marketplace.
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Additional OverDrive Max titles: Over 5,000 ebooks from Scholastic are now in our popular MA: 100 checkouts (concurrent users) lending model.
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Expanded Sora Subscription offerings
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Cornerstone Collection: Eight collections of essential and fun reads for tweens and teens.
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Building Blocks Library: Over 800 titles in five collections for students grades K-6.
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Director dashboard milestones: Your Director Dashboard can now display achievement badges to celebrate your checkout milestones.
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The Eight Dimensions of Wellness.
This free resource is designed to help you work toward a balanced and fulfilling life by focusing on key areas of well-being. Download and share with your employees, friends and family!
Healthy Body. Healthy Mind.
Did you know that students ages 6 to 17 who engage in at least 60 minutes or more of physical activity a day tend to have higher grades, better attendance at school, and improved cognitive performance? (CDC). See how MISBO Consortium Partner Hiveclass can help:
Giving Facilities a Voice
As a facilities leader, you are the mouthpiece for your campus facilities. Serving as the spokesperson for the largest asset on campus and ensuring its success and health is a large burden to bear. You have a responsibility to share the needs of the facility by communicating those needs powerfully and effectively.
Partner Connect is LIVE!
MISBO's Partner Connect is your new tool for finding the perfect partner for your school's purchasing needs. Partner Connect is an easy way to log in, select what you you're looking to purchase, and request information from multiple MISBO partners - all at once!
Director of the Purchasing Consortium
susankimmel@misbo.com
404.920.8844
Susan curates the MISBO Purchasing Consortium by maintaining and enhancing current partner relationships and pursuing new partnerships based on the needs of our members. Susan educates on and informs members of the benefits of utilizing the MISBO Purchasing Consortium. She facilitates communications with partners concerning contracts and product offerings and assists in providing optimal partner exposure. Susan has a bachelor’s degree in business administration, an MBA with an emphasis in MIS, and a certificate in Social Media Marketing and Leadership Excellence. In her spare time, Susan is a mom to 4 grown kids, Gigi to four, a personal growth junkie, crochet hobbyist, travel enthusiast, dog lover ... cat tolerator, DIY wanna-be, outdoorsy-ish, and an occasional binge watcher.
MISBO is here to help you find great products and services at great prices! Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions, need help finding a partner to fill your needs, have recommendations, or just want to talk about purchasing!
You can reach her at the number and e-mail above, or set up a Zoom call with her here: