Board extends temporary technology/innovation contract through June 2026 amid cybersecurity and AI concerns
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Summary
The board approved a limited extension of a senior technology/innovation contract — citing recent cybersecurity work (two‑step verification rollout, reduced successful breaches) and classroom AI supports — and required a study session to identify grant funding and a longer‑term plan.
Board members voted to extend a temporary senior manager, advanced technology and innovation learning contract through June 30, 2026 while the district develops a longer‑term funding and staffing proposal.
District technology leaders described several measures they said reduced risk during the last year. After rolling out two‑step verification for roughly 1,200 staff accounts, leaders reported zero successful breaches for enrolled users and a reduction in multi‑day incident recovery work in cases where two‑step verification was in place. Staff also said the contracted senior manager provided specialized incident response and helped resolve high‑level tickets that would have otherwise required outside vendors.
The contract role also supports classroom use of AI tools. The senior manager reported direct work with teachers and students on formative uses of AI—such as designing AI‑aided assessments and classroom strategies for English learners—and said the position functions as a multiplier for both cybersecurity and instructional AI work.
Trustees questioned cost and funding: the contract extension will cost an estimated $252,004.75 through June 30, 2027 (staff said part of the cost will be charged to general fund), and trustees requested clearer data tying the role to student outcomes, options for grant support and whether the work could be restructured under a classified position. Staff and the superintendent said many required skills are market‑rate and difficult to source in a classified job classification; they recommended continuing the contracted arrangement while pursuing external grant opportunities.
The board approved a motion limiting the extension to June 30, 2026 and directed staff to convene a study session with associations and the grant writer to explore longer‑term funding and present additional data on cybersecurity posture, student‑facing AI work and possible external funding sources.
