Board adopts AI acceptable‑use policy, creates AI adoption committee to study classroom tools

The Blaine County School District Board of Trustees on July 15 adopted Policy 9‑4‑3, governing acceptable use of artificial intelligence tools, and supported forming an AI adoption committee to study classroom applications and vendor products. Board members said the policy was updated after feedback from IT and school staff. IT Director Zimmerman flagged the need to ensure staff know how to teach students to cite AI-generated sources, and the policy was edited to place expectations about respect, inclusivity and academic integrity up front. The policy includes a list of authorized tools for personally identifiable or confidential student data. Zimmerman provided one FERPA‑authorized tool for such use: Google Gemini, which the policy now lists. Assistant Superintendent Johnson told trustees the district would “embark on kind of an AI adoption committee to explore potential products,” and noted the market has stabilized enough to evaluate classroom uses. Trustees adopted the policy by voice vote: “All those in favor, signify by saying aye... Motion carries.” The board also asked the new committee to inventory tools, recommend guardrails for student data and propose teacher training protocols so staff can teach proper citation and appropriate classroom use. The policy adoption does not mandate specific vendor purchases; the committee will bring recommendations back to the board for any procurement or broader adoption.