Chicago, IL (April 14, 2026)— CoSN, The Consortium for School Networking, a premier association of K-12 education technology leaders, today honored Dr. Kari Murphy, chief technology officer of Deer Park Independent School District (DPISD) in Texas, with its 2026 Withrow Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Award.

The Withrow CTO Award recognizes an exceptional district technology leader whose vision and leadership have had a transformative impact on their school system. The award is named for Frank Withrow, a pioneer and longtime champion of K–12 education technology.

Dr. Murphy’s innovative leadership is evident in her work to ensure education technology is reliable, equitable, and secure. An early adopter of using one-to-one technology in schools, she is now exploring thoughtful ways to leverage artificial intelligence to improve instruction, support teaching, and generate meaningful insights that help students succeed.

“To be recognized by an organization that stands at the forefront of educational technology leadership is a professional milestone, but more importantly, it is a testament to the collective hard work and service of my entire team at DPISD. At DPISD, we have always operated under the belief that digital transformation is only successful when it serves pedagogy and supports the well-being of every student,” said Dr. Kari Murphy, Chief Technology Officer of Deer Park Independent School District.

“While we celebrate how far we’ve come, this moment serves as a vital reminder of the work ahead. As we navigate the complexities of AI, cybersecurity, and digital citizenship, I remain committed to the belief that technology leadership is ultimately about service. This honor belongs to all of us who believe in the power of technology to inspire students to reach their highest potential.”

“Dr. Murphy’s leadership reflects the very best of district technology leadership: thoughtful, student-centered, and grounded in service,” said Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN. “Her approach reflects a disciplined focus on learning, access, and responsible technology use.”

The award was presented during CoSN’s annual conference, “Building What’s Next, Together,” which kicked off on Monday, April 13. The conference is focused on advancing the knowledge and skills of K-12 education technology leaders — including CIOs/CTOs, superintendents, and solution providers — while addressing key topics such as cybersecurity, student data privacy, and the use of generative AI in schools to support safe and effective practices within the K-12 system.

Watch a video highlighting Dr. Murphy’s accomplishments here.

Learn more about the CoSN2026 awards at: cosn.org/about/awards

About CoSN
CoSN, the world-class professional association for K-12 education technology leaders, stands at the forefront of education innovation. We are driven by a mission to equip current and aspiring K-12 education technology leaders, their team and school districts with the community, knowledge, and professional development they need to cultivate engaging learning environments. Our vision is rooted in a future where every learner reaches their unique potential, guided by our community. CoSN represents over 13 million students and continues to grow as a powerful and influential voice in K-12 education. www.cosn.org/

About Deer Park Independent School District
Deer Park ISD is known throughout the State of Texas for its quality instructional program, outstanding facilities and exemplary teaching and support staff. Team Deer Park — comprised of all employees, students, parents, taxpayers, community members and elected officials — prides itself on the District’s award-winning Fine Arts and Career and Technical Education programs, its successful athletics program, and an instructional program that places children first. www.dpisd.org/

MEDIA CONTACTS:
CoSN: Makenzie Carlin, mcarlin@fratelli.com
DPISD: Matt Lucas, mlucas@dpisd.org