Board committee weighs AI policy, Chromebook replacement and grant options
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Summary
The technology committee reported on an adopted AI policy and tasked an internal committee with drafting an AI plan; board members discussed Chromebook replacement timelines (second‑grade devices may be 4–5 years old) and estimated replacement costs ($40,000–$70,000/year), and asked staff to explore grants and leasing before budgeting a recurring expense.
Mr. Fisher (technology committee chair) updated the board on the committee’s Nov. 4 meeting: the board adopted an AI policy and the committee will now draft an internal AI plan to define permitted programs, prohibited tools and implementation scope for classrooms. Fisher said the district’s internal AI committee will identify stakeholders and responsibilities and report back.
The committee also discussed Chromebook lifecycle and distribution: Chromebooks are issued new to sixth‑ and ninth‑grade students, then refurbished and passed down to lower grades; second‑grade devices can therefore be four to five years old. Mr. Fisher said preliminary estimates for providing new devices to second graders range from roughly $40,000 to $70,000 annually depending on device type and implementation approach.
Board members and administration emphasized tradeoffs. Committee members said certified teachers lead academic time in after‑school programs and that the IT department maintains in‑house repair capacity. District staff said they will look for grant funding and leasing options before formally asking the board to budget for recurring replacement costs. Several members raised curriculum concerns — including best practices around screen time and whether 1:1 device programs are appropriate at very young ages.
On federal guidance, the committee noted the U.S. Department of Education’s emerging guidance and recommended staying responsive to evolving statewide and federal recommendations for AI in education.
The board asked staff to return with a formal Chromebook plan, cost estimates and potential grant/leasing options before any budget request is made.