AUSTIN, Minn. – The Center for Digital Education has named Austin one of its Digital School District Survey Awards winners.

For 14 years, the Survey Awards have recognized “commendable use of technology by school boards and districts. This is the third straight year Austin Public Schools has been honored in the Mid-sized Student Population category.

“This survey data has proven to be beneficial in districts throughout the country” said Dr. Kecia Ray, executive director for the Center for Digital Education. “We look forward to sharing our results in the Digital School Districts report and having this survey become the benchmark for which districts measure their digital transformation.”

All U.S. public school districts are eligible for these awards but only 45 received awards this time. Austin Public Schools is the only district in either Iowa or Minnesota to be recognized.

“School boards are embracing technology initiatives that help them govern more effectively and empower their districts to operate more efficiently,” said Thomas J. Gentzel, executive director and chief executive officer for the National School Boards Association. “The variety of districts recognized by this survey in both size and urbanicity serve as examples for others who want to introduce innovative approaches within their communities.”