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Mesa board approves limited Course Mojo AI pilot after public debate
Summary
The Mesa Public Schools governing board approved a memorandum of understanding with Course Mojo to run a limited pilot (up to 1,300 free licenses) at two middle schools after public comment from parents and local experts raised data-privacy and neutrality concerns.
The Mesa Public Schools Governing Board voted 3-2 on July 8 to approve a memorandum of understanding with Course Mojo that gives the district up to 1,300 free licenses to pilot the company’s AI-powered learning tool at two campuses.
Supporters said the tool is aligned to the district’s approved HMH curriculum and can provide individualized practice; critics raised questions about algorithmic neutrality, data privacy and a lack of opportunity to observe the tool in operation before approval.
The board first heard about Course Mojo during public comment. Ed Steele, a community member, urged the district to postpone the contract so stakeholders could observe the tool in operation. Daniel Woods, who said he works with AI tools, requested to see Course Mojo’s “prompt” — the instruction set that guides AI behavior — before the board approved the memorandum. Kerry Davis, citing research on handwriting and learning, opposed adoption on the grounds that AI tools might reduce note-taking and retention.
District staff and trustees said the pilot will be limited and monitored. Assistant Superintendent Doctor Islas and staff told the board Course Mojo uses the district’s approved curriculum as its source material rather than generating content from unspecified internet data. Staff also said the pilot includes plans to collect usage and outcome data and allow parents to opt their children out. Administrators confirmed no purchase order had been issued and that the pilot would be limited to the two sites named in the MOU; parents could request site visits to observe the program in action.
The motion passed 3-2 after a roughly one-hour discussion at the action-item portion of the meeting. The board directed staff to collect usage and outcome data during the pilot and to make site-level observations and community tours available.
Trustees said they want repeated feedback during the pilot and clear reports on whether the tool affects classroom instruction, student engagement and achievement. The district will also publish a Frequently Asked Questions document on the Course Mojo pilot and handle parent opt-outs through site administration.
The vote followed several other agenda items, including adoption of the fiscal-year budget and approval of a superintendent employment addendum.
