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Sunnyside Unified presents generative AI guidance, plans to open Gemini to staff and train teachers
Summary
District staff described a proposed generative artificial intelligence guide aligned to Arizona guidance, plans to open Google Gemini to district staff, and summarized teacher survey results showing early classroom AI use.
Sunnyside Unified School District staff on Feb. 20 outlined a draft generative artificial intelligence (AI) guidance built from the Arizona AI guidance and an Arizona State Challenge framework, and said the district will open Google’s Gemini model to staff through the district Google Workspace while developing teacher training and guardrails.
Veronica Ortega, the district’s Instructional Technology Systems coordinator, told the Governing Board the draft guidance follows three state challenge elements: which AI tools are allowed, pitfalls to avoid (including student data and FERPA concerns), and a communication system for classroom use. Ortega said the district will encourage teachers to create optional free AI accounts (for example, ChatGPT) using district email but not district passwords, and will urge educators not to input student‑identifiable information into third‑party AI systems.
Ortega presented results from a teacher survey of 197 participants across 17 schools. The survey found 71 teachers reporting current AI use. By subject area, teachers reported AI use most often in English language arts (79 mentions), mathematics (75), and science (74). Tools listed included ChatGPT (51 teachers), Google Gemini (8), Canva AI features (16), Grammarly and similar tools (19), AI features embedded in commercial software such as Adobe or Microsoft (15), and other educational platforms (30). Teachers said they use AI mainly for lesson planning and preparation (49), classroom activities and discussions (35), student assignments and projects (25), assessment creation and grading (18) and feedback to students (12). Common concerns included academic integrity, accuracy and reliability, and impacts on critical thinking.
The draft guidance proposes a traffic‑light communication system to indicate whether AI is not allowed (red), allowed with citation and transcript of prompts (yellow), or part of the assignment (green). Ortega also noted district additions to digital citizenship material covering deepfakes and referenced an ongoing statewide conversation; the Arizona guidance she cited has been revised multiple times since its initial release.
Board members and staff discussed implementation, the need for teacher training in prompt design and critical review, and the district’s plan to phase access first to staff and then, as guidance and training develop, to students. Ortega said human oversight at all stages is essential and that the district will offer professional learning focused on lesson planning, assessment practices, and ethical use.
