Horry County Schools outlines teacher‑first stance on classroom AI, plans phased rollout

Learning Services presented a draft position statement on artificial intelligence that emphasizes ethical use, a teacher‑first approach and a phased implementation focused initially on staff training.

“Our rollout is to not necessarily put this in front of students directly, but to make our teachers aware of what AI is, what it isn't, to show them how to use it ethically and responsibly,” the presenter said, describing professional development and monitoring plans. The team reported it used federal and state guidance and survey responses from higher‑education partners to craft its draft.

Board members pressed the presenters on practical issues: how to document AI use in graded assignments, how to ensure consistency across classrooms, how to avoid creating liability for the district, and how to move faster if students are already using AI tools. One board member said a prior lawsuit in another district involving alleged AI use and grading made rapid policy development a priority.

Why it matters: As AI adoption grows, districts face competing demands to protect academic integrity, support teachers and enable beneficial instructional tools. Horry County’s initial plan prioritizes teacher training and human oversight while reserving student deployment for later phases.

What’s next: Staff will share suggested teacher usage guidelines and continue iterative development of policy and procedures, coordinating with educators and the superintendent. The board signaled support for transparency and publication of expectations once finalized.