Winning Tech & Learning’s 2025 Best for Back to School award is exciting, but more importantly, it signals that operations tools are mission-critical in K-12. Judges look for products that combine versatility, value, and problem-solving impact, the same qualities districts need to keep buildings safe, schedules on track, and teams aligned.
This award is more than an industry nod—it’s a sign that K-12 facilities operations are transforming fast, and districts need agile, scalable solutions to keep schools secure, efficient, and ready for learning.
Below, discover why facilities management has become mission-critical, the challenges districts face, and how modern tools like iiQ Facilities make a measurable impact.
Why facilities tools matter right now:
- Aging buildings, rising risk. Over half of U.S. districts report needing to update or replace multiple building systems (HVAC, plumbing, etc.). Deferred maintenance keeps compounding.
With the average American school building now approaching 50 years old, facilities leaders face a tidal wave of repairs and upgrades. Deferred maintenance not only impacts budgets, but it can threaten safety and learning continuity. - Energy is a budget lever. K-12 districts spend ~$8B annually on energy, making energy costs the second-largest expense for most districts after payroll.
Yet, many school districts lack transparent systems to track usage and optimize savings. Every dollar saved through improved efficiency—whether via LED retrofits or smarter scheduling—can be reallocated to instruction and classroom resources. - Big backlogs require better coordination. Over half of U.S. K-12 districts report needing major system overhauls, from HVAC to plumbing, often compounded by chronic funding limitations. In fact, public-sector sources estimate a $270B facilities repair backlog. Visibility and automation are how leaders prioritize work and show progress.
What the award says about iiQ Facilities
Tech & Learning’s winners list highlights tools that solve concrete problems at scale. iiQ Facilities was recognized for streamlining work orders and communication to maintain safe, efficient learning environments, which is exactly where districts need reliability and speed as school years begin.
How districts use iiQ Facilities to drive outcomes
- Automate the everyday. Route requests, speed prioritization, and trigger preventive maintenance tasks without extra emails or hallway handoffs, so teams focus on fixes, not forms.
iiQ Facilities eliminates inefficient email chains and manual paperwork by automating requests from teachers, staff, and administrators. This includes routine priorities like seasonal HVAC checks, playground safety inspections, and fire alarm tests, which are scheduled and tracked in advance so nothing falls through the cracks. - Be mobile-ready. Techs capture notes and photos in the field and close work faster, while supervisors get real-time status at a glance. Mobile workflows also support documentation in areas with spotty Wi-Fi, keeping things moving even in older buildings.
- Show leaders the numbers. Dashboards and reports make work backlog, PM compliance, and downtime visible, which is useful to justify budget requests and help with strategic resource planning decisions.
If you missed our press announcement, read it here.
Making the Case for Facilities Investment
To win funding, facilities teams need clear metrics on maintenance costs, deferred workloads, safety risks, and energy savings. iiQ Facilities’ built-in analytics make it straightforward to capture and communicate critical data during budget cycles and state reviews.
Explore how iiQ Facilities helps K-12 teams streamline work and surface savings opportunities. Then see why Tech & Learning’s judges named it a back-to-school essential.
