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Jenkintown SD pauses a classroom AI/software decision to review teacher access and policy
Summary
District staff reported that Google Workspace'embedded AI (Gemini) is available under the district license but teacher access has been limited to a pilot; the board agreed to delay any student-facing rollouts while staff draft policy and consult outside expertise.
District staff told the board the district has access to Google Workspace'embedded AI tools (referred to in the presentation as "Gemini") through the existing license and that a teacher-facing pilot (described in the presentation as "Magic School") remains limited to educators for now. Staff said Gemini was turned on for the district around four months earlier and there was no additional licensing cost beyond the district's Google Workspace agreement.
Board members and staff discussed pausing formal approval in May and instead allowing time for teacher and faculty conversations before a final decision. One board member recommended delaying action until June 8 to allow administrators to meet with faculty and to review how the tools would be used in classrooms.
The board also asked staff to develop an AI-use policy this summer and to consult external expertise from other districts that have completed formal reviews. Staff mentioned a possible fall committee review and a plan to revisit device and cell-phone policies alongside AI guidance.
Next steps: Staff will share the draft policy language and convene faculty input; the board expects a fuller committee review in the fall and a return to the board with recommendations.
