The School District of Lancaster is excited to introduce Bill Griscom as our new Director of Technology. With more than 20 years of experience in educational technology, Griscom brings a rare blend of technical expertise, leadership, and heart, qualities that align closely with our mission to support every student, every day.
For Griscom, technology has always been personal. His story starts in the northern hills of West Virginia, where he was raised in a tight-knit community surrounded by educators who, despite limited resources, led with passion and purpose. His mother recognized early on that Griscom had a natural aptitude for computers and made it a priority to keep one in the home, a rarity at the time. That single act of encouragement sparked a lifelong curiosity that would shape his career and philosophy.
“I didn’t grow up with computer labs in school,” Griscom recalls. “But my mom made sure we had one at home, and she encouraged me to tinker. I remember calling tech support as a kid because I wanted to understand how things worked. That kind of hands-on learning changed everything for me.”
Griscom followed that interest to Millersville University, where he studied computer science. Though he originally thought he’d become a programmer, a college internship showed him he was happiest when helping people use technology, not just creating it. That realization led to a career that’s blended problem-solving with human connection ever since.
After college, Griscom’s first job was right next door at Penn Manor School District. He then served as a network administrator at Lancaster Country Day School before moving into director roles at Wyomissing Area School District and most recently, Lampeter-Strasburg School District, where he led the technology department for 11 years.
While each position sharpened his skills, Griscom never lost sight of the bigger picture: that technology is only as powerful as the people it empowers.
Why SDoL?
Griscom’s move to the School District of Lancaster wasn’t by chance. It was intentional. After years of observing SDoL from afar, he felt drawn to the district’s size, diversity, and commitment to equity.
“I’ve always been intrigued by SDoL,” he says. “It’s unlike any other district in the county. The diversity, in every sense of the word, is unmatched. When the position opened, I told my wife, ‘That’s the one I want to pursue.’ And throughout the interview process, everything I hoped to be true about the district was confirmed. It’s welcoming. It’s honest. And it’s deeply committed to putting students first.”
Griscom shares that what ultimately drew him to SDoL was the “soulfulness” of the work. As he puts it, “I can be a tech director anywhere. But here, it means something more.”
Vision, accessibility, and equity
As he settles into the role, Griscom isn’t rushing to implement changes. Instead, he’s taking time to listen, to staff, to students, to families, and assess how technology can be most useful, equitable, and accessible across the district.
“I want to make sure we’re not just offering devices,” he explains. “We’re offering the right devices. Tools that prepare our students for the world they’re stepping into. Whether that’s college or a career, they should graduate feeling confident in their digital skills.”
SDoL’s one-to-one device program remains a critical foundation, but Griscom is looking ahead to even greater access, specifically around home internet connectivity, meaningful software tools, and expanded language access for multilingual families. His focus on equity means asking hard questions, like: How many families are still struggling to get online? How can we bridge that gap?
“Access is more than handing out iPads,” he says. “It’s about ensuring every student and family can fully engage with the tools we provide. That includes internet access at home and materials translated into languages they understand. We can’t assume technology is equitable just because it’s available.”
Launching the Student Help Desk
Among the most exciting projects under Griscom’s leadership is the launch of a student-run help desk at McCaskey High School. The initiative, long championed by principal Dr. Reese, is designed to give students real-world IT experience while strengthening the district’s tech support services.
“This is so much more than fixing devices,” Griscom says. “It’s about building confidence, communication skills, and professionalism. Some of these students might go into tech. Some might not. But either way, they’re learning how to show up, solve problems, and contribute.”
The summer pilot program has already proven a success. Students have been learning about everything from mobile device management and AV equipment to client support and service etiquette. Griscom’s goal is to scale the program during the school year, offering hands-on experiences that could spark future careers.
“I never hire anyone without some experience,” he adds. “It doesn’t have to be much, just enough to show they’ve been part of something. This gives our students that edge.”
Building on a legacy
Griscom is quick to acknowledge the legacy of longtime tech director Terry Tippett, who served SDoL for nearly two decades. During the transition, Terry provided mentorship, something Griscom speaks of with deep gratitude.
“Terry built an incredible foundation here,” he says. “She was generous with her time and knowledge, and we discovered we would have made a great team. Her focus on team development and empowering staff is something I absolutely want to continue.”
Still, Griscom brings his own perspective to the table. He believes in pushing forward while knowing when to step back. Not every classroom needs technology, he says, and knowing when to not use it can be just as important.
“As much as I love tech, I want our kids in art class molding clay. I want them in choir, singing their hearts out. Sometimes, the best support we can give is knowing when to step aside.”
Family, humor, and human connection
At his core, Griscom is a family man. He lives in Manheim Township with his wife, their three daughters, and a mini Irish Doodle named Gunner who, despite his original protests, has become the star of the family photo album.
“I didn’t want him,” he laughs, “but now he takes up half my camera roll.”
When Griscom isn’t leading teams or dreaming about better broadband access, you might catch him making TikToks with his daughters or getting schooled on Gen Z slang. He’s the first to admit he doesn’t know everything and that’s exactly the kind of leader he believes schools need.
“This field changes every day,” he says. “We can’t be too proud to ask questions. We have to stay open. That’s what I love about this district, there’s a shared understanding that we’re all here to learn, grow, and do right by our students.”
Looking ahead
As Griscom begins this new chapter, his message to staff, families, and students:
“We’re here to support you. We want technology to be clear, approachable, and genuinely helpful. Not another layer of red tape. If there’s a better way to do something, we want to know. And if we can help you love your job, or your school day, a little more because tech is finally working how it should, then we’ve done our job.”
As the district continues to move forward with its strategic priorities, Griscom’s leadership will play a key role in ensuring that SDoL remains a place where innovation is driven by inclusion, responsiveness, and a deep understanding of the communities it serves.
Please join us in welcoming Bill Griscom to the School District of Lancaster. His journey here may have started with floppy disks and dial-up, but the future he’s helping us build is anything but outdated.