Molalla River SD 35 outlines plan to replace aging PA system, pursue federal school-safety grant and write AI policy

District staff told the Molalla River School District 35 board on March 13 that the district is pursuing several technology and security upgrades, including replacement of the aging Simplex public‑address (PA) system, competitive procurement for fiber services under E‑Rate Category 1, expanded cybersecurity testing and training, and the development of a district policy on artificial intelligence.

The updates were presented in a single report covering four items: the PA system, cybersecurity, the E‑Rate Category 1 (data transmission/dark fiber) procurement, and AI policy development. The presenter said the existing Simplex PA “is on its last leg” and that the district has completed walk‑throughs with vendors and expects bids back in March for evaluation.

The presenter described one funding route the district may pursue: the U.S. Department of Justice school violence prevention program, which was discussed as a likely fit for camera, alarm and panic‑code upgrades. The presenter said that program typically funds about 75% of eligible costs, with the district responsible for roughly 25%, and that the grant application window usually opens in mid‑ to late April with deadlines around June.

On cybersecurity, staff reported the district has run phishing‑style tests and network vulnerability scans and plans a campaign to raise staff awareness about password hygiene, threat recognition and response. The presenter cited national figures in the meeting, saying that since 2016 there have been more than 2,000 attacks on U.S. schools and that phishing is the most common entry vector.

The board was also told the district has solicited bids for dark fiber and created a review committee to evaluate proposals. The presenter listed committee members who reviewed bids: Amy McNeil, Mark Luke, Jeremy Kiethfeld (identified in the meeting as the CIO of the Blackness ESV), Jeremy Joseph (a community technical advisor), and the presenter. Committee results are being reviewed by a rate consultant and legal counsel and are expected back to the board at the next meeting.

Finally, the presenter said an executive committee has begun drafting district AI policies for staff and students, and that the district will use the OSBA (Oregon School Boards Association) AI policy as a starting point. The presenter asked whether the board wanted a special session on AI before the board is asked to adopt policy language.

Board members asked for clarification on what the AI training and policy would cover, including permissible and impermissible student uses and academic‑integrity concerns. One board member suggested an educational session on “hopes, dreams and fears” about AI to inform policy writing.

The presenter noted timelines for grant applications and procurement steps but did not announce final contract awards or specific dollar amounts during the meeting. No formal motions or votes on these items were recorded in the transcript.

Ending: District staff said they will return with bid evaluations and policy drafts: the E‑Rate/dark‑fiber selection will come back after consultant and legal review, the grant timeline points to an April application window, and an AI policy draft will be circulated through the executive committee for eventual board consideration.