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CPS details AI training, policy steps and new staff knowledge tool
Summary
Cincinnati Public Schools updated the board on AI policy implementation: the district adopted a board AI policy, updated acceptable‑use rules, launched staff and student introductory AI lessons, and is piloting 'CPS Quick Connect,' a searchable district knowledge base tied to vetted local resources.
CPS CIO Jeremy Galaghue and innovation lead Deb Fricky briefed the board on the district’s AI work and broader IT initiatives on April 20. Fricky said CPS adopted an AI board policy and updated the acceptable‑use policy to include AI; the district’s vendor approvals now include privacy/security checks for FERPA and COPPA compliance (transcript reference) as well as internal ATI reviews.
Training and curriculum: CPS developed an AI introductory course for staff and adapted lessons for grades 5–12 drawing on vetted external resources (Common Sense, Google, code.org) and integrated those lessons with the district’s digital citizenship curriculum. The district also offered a Canvas course adapted for parents and plans targeted family/community sessions.
Products and safeguards: CPS is piloting CPS Quick Connect, a district knowledge base that uses curated internal materials to answer routine staff queries and to surface contacts; the IT team limited usage to anonymized data and emphasized vendor privacy reviews. The district also formed a joint committee with CFT representation to advise classroom usage and to craft guidance on ethical use and retention.
Board concerns: trustees asked about vendor data retention and database/retention policy, parent outreach, and whether AI would replace or augment staff. Administration said privacy checks are required for ATI approvals, parent modules are deployed via Canvas, and the district is treating AI as a tool to improve efficiency—e.g., slide and content prep and anonymized data analysis—rather than a replacement for instruction.
Why it matters: the board’s early adoption of an AI policy and the emphasis on staff/student training aim to balance innovation and privacy; trustees requested continued clarity on retention, system controls, and how AI‑related savings or efficiencies will be realized in practice.
