Jeff Kubiak sits down with Katie Hylton, Director of Business Support Services for San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and newly elected CASBO president. Katie shares her unexpected journey from animal science major to school business leader — starting as a part-time attendance clerk and warehouse worker in Barstow, all the way to overseeing operations for a county office of education. The conversation explores how behind-the-scenes operational work directly impacts student learning, the importance of connecting business services staff to the "why" behind their work, and what it truly means to build radically student-centered learning environments.
Takeaways
The invisible work matters. Clean, safe, well-maintained facilities directly affect student focus, comfort, and academic success — even if no one notices when it's done right.
Connect your team to the why. Katie makes it a priority to get operations staff out to school sites so they can see the students they're serving. Whether it's delivering adaptive equipment or volunteering at a reading rally, that human connection transforms how people show up for their work.
Mentorship opens doors. A warehouse mentor who taught Katie to drive a forklift became the reason she landed her first full-time job. Find your people, ask questions, and build your network — especially through organizations like CASBO.
Be creative with resources. Tighter budgets require forward thinking. COVID funding was an opportunity to invest in long-overdue infrastructure like touchless fixtures and keyless entry — small changes with lasting impact.
Ask students what they need. Flexible furniture, natural light, wellness spaces, and collaborative areas aren't just trends — they reflect what students actually need to thrive. Including student voice in planning builds both better spaces and student pride.
About Katie Hylton:
Katie Hylton is a seasoned education business leader with over three decades of experience in K–12 operations, procurement, and facilities management. As Director of Business Support Services for the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, she oversees vital operational and fiscal functions supporting schools across the region. A longtime CASH and CASBO member, Katie is known for her collaborative leadership and passion for sharing knowledge as a presenter and speaker. A lifelong learner, she enjoys leadership programs that foster growth and reflect her dedication to strengthening educational communities.
Episode 332 of the Better Learning Podcast
Kevin Stoller is the host of the Better Learning Podcast and Co-Founder of Kay-Twelve, a national leader for educational furniture. Learn more about creating better learning environments at www.Kay-Twelve.com.
For more information on our partners:
Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/
Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/
Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/
EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/
Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/
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