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Woburn superintendent highlights hires, 1-to-1 iPads and AI summer program
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Matthew Crowley reported the district hired 102 staff over the summer, ordered 500 iPads bringing the district to K'12 one-to-one for iPad use, and described a four-week AI career academy involving Woburn students and regional partners.
Superintendent Dr. Matthew Crowley told the Woburn School Committee that the district completed more than 100 hires over the summer and began the 2025-26 school year with positive enrollment and staffing trends.
Crowley said the district hired 102 people in roles ranging from paraprofessionals to teachers and an associate principal at the high school. He described summer onboarding and a revised new-teacher orientation intended to smooth transitions for new hires.
Technology and devices: Crowley said Woburn ordered 500 new iPads, enabling a k'12 one-to-one iPad program; Chromebooks remain the device for grade 2 and above. He also named Kim Miles as interim director of technology and said the technology team spent much of the summer preparing devices, charging carts and classroom configurations.
Summer programs and AI: Crowley described multiple summer programs across the district and highlighted a new four-week AI academy in partnership with Burlington and other nearby districts. He said the program included mentorship from college students and teachers, and partners included Inspirat AI, UMass Lowell and companies that hosted tours and presentations, such as Microsoft, Amazon Web Services and the Broad Institute. Crowley said the AI program aimed to expose students to machine-learning concepts, Python programming and career pathways.
Committee members asked about classroom uses and potential harms of artificial intelligence in education. Member Andrew Lipsett said he is cautious about AI's role in classrooms and urged the district to define best practices. Crowley and assistant administrators said curriculum leaders will work with the committee to develop guidance on AI use.
Why it matters: The device purchases and staffing decisions affect classroom instruction and student access to technology. The district's AI partnership exposes students to internships and technical pathways but raises questions about academic integrity and appropriate classroom policies.
What's next: The administration will continue onboarding new staff, distribute iPads and work with the curriculum office and school committee to develop AI guidance for classrooms.
