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Northbrook SD 28 outlines phased AI plan, stresses staff-first approach and privacy safeguards
Summary
District technology staff described a phased, learning‑first AI plan that prioritizes staff literacy, student focus groups and family engagement; presenters said student access to AI tools has not been enabled and highlighted data‑privacy protections tied to the district’s paid Google environment.
Maria, representing the district’s AI task force and technology team, briefed the Northbrook SD 28 board on March 10 about a phased, learning‑first approach to artificial intelligence in instruction.
Maria said the task force began with staff literacy and guard rails, conducted student focus groups with about 20 junior‑high students, and plans family engagement and long‑term sustainability work. She told the board Illinois has directed statewide guidance by July 1, 2026, and the district is using that timeline to refine guidance on responsible use, data protection and AI literacy.
Maria said the district has not enabled student access to Google’s Gemini features and emphasized that, when staff use Google Workspace under the district’s paid education account, data entered while logged into district accounts remains within the district environment and is not used to improve vendor models: "when you're logged into your district account for staff members and you are using the product, the data that is entered is confidential and strictly to your district." She added the district has not purchased new AI products for students but is exploring embedded features in current tools and advanced features for operational tasks.
Board members raised concerns about added screen time, the developmental appropriateness of AI for younger students and the importance of protecting critical thinking. One member urged the district to ensure AI augments rather than replaces instruction and to consider age‑appropriate boundaries before broad student rollout.
District staff described their implementation steps: teacher guidance, professional learning, TTLS and instructional technology coaches supporting classroom practice, and plans to develop rubrics and disclosure expectations for assignments that allow or restrict AI. The presentation closed with next steps including drafting a policy aligned with Illinois guidance and planned family engagement in the fall.
The board did not take a policy vote at the meeting; Maria and district leaders said they will return with drafts and family engagement plans as the state guidance becomes available.
