School Committee debates outside funding for AI guidance; prioritizes internal policy review and staff training
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Summary
Administrators proposed a Collaborative‑facilitated AI working group for guidance and professional learning; some members questioned a $5,000 consultant fee and overlap with DESE guidance; the superintendent said the district will not contract for policy drafting but will pursue guidance and professional learning.
The committee discussed an AI working‑group proposal brought forward by district staff that would engage an outside Collaborative to provide professional learning and to help shape guidance for students and staff on the district’s use of artificial intelligence.
Superintendent Soto said the district needs clear guidance and professional learning for teachers and students as AI tools proliferate, and that the Collaborative offered a scope of learning and suggested model policies. Rebecca Mazer (district staff) noted she and two colleagues attended a Collaborative training and found it valuable.
Several committee members questioned spending $5,000 for consultant facilitation and noted the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) had already published guidance and sample policies. Member Sheehan asked whether the district had explored free alternatives or statewide offerings; others urged caution about paying for policy drafting when the committee’s policy subcommittee could review materials internally.
The superintendent said the district would not contract with the Collaborative to draft policy but would consider using the Collaborative for professional learning and to gather guidance, then bring recommendations to the policy subcommittee.
The discussion ended with agreement to return to the plan: administration will evaluate alternatives, prioritize professional learning for staff and students, and ensure the policy subcommittee reviews any recommended policy language before the full committee considers changes.