South Portland advances AI plan: district endorses single AI tool, traffic‑light protocol and micro‑course for students

Andy Wallace, the district’s technology director, told the South Portland School Board the AI steering committee has completed a year‑and‑a‑half review and set a framework for classroom use of artificial intelligence.

The committee endorsed a single, district‑managed AI tool referred to in the meeting as “Magic School,” created student handbook wording about AI, and recommended staff training and subject‑level professional learning to guide classroom use. Wallace said the committee adopted a position statement largely based on a national think tank’s guidance and recommended continued, iterative committee work to keep policies current as technology evolves.

Why it matters: The committee’s recommendations set expectations for how students and staff may use AI in instruction, aim to protect student privacy, and propose practical classroom practices (the “traffic‑light” protocol) that teachers can attach to specific assignments.

Key specifics reported - Endorsed tool: The steering committee recommended the district continue with a single, vetted AI tool…