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District technology team outlines data‑privacy, AI and infrastructure plan
Summary
GOSHEN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT technology leaders presented a three‑year plan emphasizing Ed Law 2‑D compliance, Chromebook replacement cycles, infrastructure upgrades, phishing training and a cautious AI rollout paired with stakeholder governance.
District technology leadership presented to the board on April 21 a multi-faceted technology and security plan that the administration framed as necessary to protect student data, modernize infrastructure and prepare for emerging tools such as generative artificial intelligence.
Dr. Dy Carter, the assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction, personnel and technology, introduced the team and the goals: maintain a reliable and secure network, meet New York Ed Law 2‑D student‑data privacy requirements, implement ADA Title II web‑accessibility work ahead of the April 26, 2027 deadline, and develop governance and training around classroom AI tools. "We have to stay ahead of the legal and instructional landscape," Dr. Carter said during the presentation.
Technical staff described recent and planned infrastructure work: buried fiber replacements across campus (completed October 2023), a secondary internet connection to isolate guest/BYOD traffic, firewall upgrades, enhanced VPN protections and multifactor authentication for Google accounts. The team also described an ongoing Chromebook replacement cycle (incoming sixth and ninth graders receive new devices on a scheduled rotation) and a district phishing/security awareness program that began in 2022 with simulated phishing emails and follow-up training for staff.
On student privacy, presenters said the district vets roughly 300 software applications annually and maintains a portal that shows whether vendors meet data‑privacy criteria; the process aims to reduce duplicate or unnecessary instructional tools and control long‑term costs. The tech leaders noted work with the state information security office to implement recommended improvements.
Regarding artificial intelligence, the presentation said the district purchased a monitoring/assessment tool (referred to in the meeting as "Magic School") for controlled use and plans to form a cross‑stakeholder task force before any wider rollout. "We are not opening these tools to everyone without guardrails," Dr. Carter said, noting concerns about academic integrity, student privacy and appropriate classroom uses.
Security managers added that every VPN connection requiring off‑site access is restricted and protected with multifactor authentication, and that student Wi‑Fi management has been tightened as part of a "distraction‑free learning environment" initiative. The team also highlighted the need to meet ADA web‑accessibility obligations and said they will deploy a district‑wide effort to bring online materials into compliance ahead of the state deadline.
Board members were asked to provide feedback on AI governance and stakeholder engagement; administration said it will return with more detailed timelines and proposed governance documents for board consideration.
"This is more than classroom devices — it's the legal, instructional and infrastructure work behind the scenes," one technical lead said.
The presentation will inform the district's three‑year technology plan submission and future budget considerations.
