Suffolk Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Gordon told the school board on Dec. 11 that the division adopted an AI policy on Sept. 24, 2025, and is training teachers to use approved tools while protecting student data. He said the district limits classroom AI to platforms already integrated with its Chromebook sign‑on (Google’s Gemini and NotebookLM) and requires vendors to sign the Virginia Department of Education’s National Data Privacy Agreement.

Why it matters: Board members expressed concern about student privacy, academic integrity and harmful outputs from chatbots, and advocated district action to educate families. Vice Chair McGee said parents have reached out about children’s privacy and mental‑health risks tied to AI. Board members proposed town halls, an online resource hub and shifted funding to the family engagement office to support outreach.

Dr. Gordon said staff have developed Canvas training for instructors that addresses bias, how to evaluate sources and how to tie AI use to the division’s acceptable‑use and student code of conduct. He said teachers must clearly indicate on assignments when AI tools are permitted and what role AI played — as a coach or collaborator — and that absent such a statement, students should assume AI is not permitted. "If AI use is not stated on the assignment, it's implied that AI may not be used," he said.

On data and procurement, the superintendent told the board that teachers and staff should not enter student data into third‑party AI tools, because such inputs can be used to further train models. He said that the division’s web filtering reduces exposure when students use district devices and that vendors must sign required privacy agreements and submit model documentation as part of RFP reviews.

Board members sought clear family‑facing resources. Board member Jenkins asked for a public web page that explains AI’s classroom uses and risks; Board member Slinglove and Brittingham proposed an evening town hall or community event and direct outreach that accounts for families without regular internet access. Riddick asked the board to consider limiting exposure in elementary grades and to fund additional family engagement capacity and community partnerships such as presentations with the Norfolk FBI field office on cybersecurity.

What’s next: Dr. Gordon said staff will finalize and post implementing regulations soon and may revise them as teachers complete training and provide feedback. The division plans to roll elementary teacher training in January 2026 and to continue refining expectations tied to academic integrity checks and discipline under the student code of conduct.

Ending: Board members generally welcomed the district’s cautious, phased approach but asked for concrete plans for parental outreach and clarified timelines for posting regulations and training materials.