Bixby expands Khan Academy, renews Turnitin and Edpuzzle contracts; shortens summer PD after federal funds freeze

The Bixby Board of Education on July 17 approved agreements for classroom technology and writing-similarity tools and revised a summer training contract after federal funds became unavailable. Why it matters: The contracts affect student-facing digital tools, teacher professional development and the district's approach to AI and plagiarism detection. The board approved a $17,800 renewal for Turnitin, a plagiarism- and AI-similarity detection tool used primarily in secondary English classes, and a $21,282.15 renewal for Edpuzzle, a video-lesson platform used across grade levels. The board also approved expanding the district's free Khan Academy agreement to cover middle school, including Khan's Khanmigo AI features. District staff said Khan Academy was chosen in part for student data protections and in-house AI handling. Separately, the district amended its previously authorized two-week Writers'Workshop summer contract with Teachers College. Title II federal funds that had been expected to pay for two weeks remained frozen, so the district negotiated a one-week program at a reduced price of $15,200 to be paid from state SRA funds the district said are already available. District officials said the vendor agreed to adjust the contract without penalty. District staff described Turnitin as having three components: a student-facing checking tool, traditional plagiarism detection for teachers and an AI-similarity detector that can yield false positives; the district said teachers will be trained on interpretation and use. Officials said they are also planning teacher training and student orientation around safe and appropriate classroom use of AI platforms. Board members approved the contracts and the amended professional-development agreement by voice vote.