If district technology leaders had a nickel for every time they heard the phrase "the new normal," they'd have all the money they need to run their IT departments. In an effort to help readers think about their budgets in creative and practical ways, "T.H.E. Journal" and the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) recently convened a panel of CTOs and technology directors to talk about how they are working within constrained finances to not only meet their IT obligations, but to move their districts forward. Excerpts from the SmartIT online discussion reveal how ed tech leaders across the country are finding creative ways to teach students 21st century skills.