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Muscatine district outlines AI plan, selects Google Gemini as enterprise base
Summary
District curriculum and technology staff presented an AI vetting process May 11 and said they selected Google's Gemini as the district's base enterprise AI platform because it supports FERPA/COPPA controls and can be managed through the district's Google Workspace admin tools; staff described a teacher-principal-district approval workflow and staff training plans.
District leaders presented an AI overview to the board May 11, describing a multi-stakeholder committee, a tool-vetting process and a phased approach to training staff and students.
Joelle McConaughey, director of curriculum, teaching and learning, said the district convened educators, administrators, school-board members and community partners to build a flexible policy framework and guardrails for staff and students.
Aaron Mower and Scott Comstock detailed the district's approach. Scott Comstock said the district evaluated four enterprise platforms and selected Google's Gemini as the base because it offers enterprise controls consistent with the district's Google Workspace for Education and, he said, "Google won't use our students data to train its AI model. Our data is walled off and protected for our use only." (Scott Comstock)
Staff described a multi-step approval workflow for classroom tools: a teacher or building team will apply to use a tool, the building principal will sign off, the tool will be assessed by a district review tool for baseline criteria (including FERPA and COPPA compliance and whether the vendor trains on submitted data), and an AI team will give final approval. Presenters said some free products lack the privacy guarantees of paid versions and those differences will be part of the vetting.
Jamie Craiger, the district HR director, described a levels framework for classroom use that "does not ban AI completely or let anyone use it however they want;" instead the framework sets progressive expectations so teachers and students learn to use AI appropriately and cite its use when required.
Board members asked how parents will be engaged and whether students would receive training; staff said the first year will prioritize employee training, with planned pilots to integrate students next year and the district will consider sharing appropriate training with families. The district's Vector Solutions learning-management system will host a 15'20 minute baseline training that can be rolled out to any paid employee, including substitutes.
No formal board action was required or taken at the presentation. Staff said they will continue the AI committee next year, align work with forthcoming state K'12 AI and computer-science standards, and develop communication and approval materials for principals and teachers.
