Lawndale board hears Measure CL technology update, launches AI guidance work

Lawndale Elementary School District technology staff told the board on May 15 that Measure CL funds have largely been preserved this year while the district used other sources to buy devices and complete safety and audio upgrades, and that an AI task force has begun writing guidelines for educational use.

At a presentation, Director of Information Technology Todd Barker and 20 First Century Learning Coordinator Anne Marie Moad said the district spent only about $12,000 of Measure CL during the 2024–25 school year because alternate funding paid for many purchases, leaving roughly $800,000 carried over from prior years. Barker told trustees the largest current category is network hardware and software support, and corrected a slide typo: “the actual expenditures this year were 1,100,000.0 not a hundred and 28,000.”

The update listed specific uses of Measure CL and related funding: student devices (Chromebooks and iPads), classroom projectors (25 replaced this year), six new large interactive touch screens, MPR audio upgrades done jointly with the RAP program, camera and security upgrades, and ongoing network and PowerSchool services. Moad said the district has full 1:1 device access in classrooms; TK–3 devices are generally shared in carts while grades 4–8 are assigned devices that go home. Barker said about 70 mobile hotspots are actively used now after returning unused units.

Moad described professional learning and curriculum supports purchased with Measure CL and other funds: third-grade makerspace leads, middle-school computer programming and First Lego League participation, CS First training for third-grade teachers, and materials such as Spheros and Lego Spike Prime kits. Technology staff named Michael Oshiro as a lead installer for district audio upgrades.

On repair and device lifecycle, the technology team said they operate an in-house repair program for devices two years old or newer when repair costs are under $150; older or more expensive repairs generally result in replacement. Barker explained that many projectors are replaced rather than only changing bulbs because older units become dim even after a bulb change.

The presentation also covered security and content-filtering. The district is using a solution it calls Securely for content filtering and alerting site personnel when student searches raise flags so staff can triage responses.

On artificial intelligence, Moad said the district convened an AI task force this year and has held five to six meetings. “Some people are pretty knowledgeable [about] AI and, but everybody wants training,” she said, summarizing staff survey results. The task force has drafted LASD guiding principles for AI, updated the district acceptable-use policy to mention AI, and is preparing educator and student guidelines that emphasize privacy, academic integrity and evaluation of tools. Moad said the district plans to pilot vetted, age-appropriate generative-AI products and expand professional development next year.

When trustees asked about access, Moad said tools such as ChatGPT are blocked for students on school devices because of minimum-age restrictions; teachers may access vetted services and some existing vendor tools (for example, Canva or Adobe features) include embedded AI that the district already permits for staff use.

Why it matters: Measure CL pays for district technology, safety and instructional innovation. The board’s update shows the district is conserving Measure CL where possible, investing in network/security and classroom technology, and moving deliberately on policy and training for emerging AI tools.

Looking ahead, staff said they will present AI guidelines, acceptable-use updates, and Measure CL financials to the district’s Citizens Oversight Committee in June and offer additional professional learning on AI next school year.