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Parents and students press Valparaiso schools for follow-up on career‑fair speaker and AI guidance
Summary
Public commenters asked the board for records and clearer policies after an April career‑fair speaker drew complaints; the district acknowledged communication lapses and said it is developing AI responsible-use guidance but paused rollout after recent data breaches.
Two public commenters used the board's non‑agenda comment period on June 8 to press the district for follow-up about an April 17 career fair speaker and to ask for clearer and more constructive AI guidance in classrooms.
Parent Jennifer Hora said she had requested a transcript or summary of remarks from the career fair guest speaker and had not received a promised email response. "We're now 7 weeks after that event," she said, asking the administration to provide the requested records or explain if no written record exists. The district asked the commenter to re-submit the records request directly to administration so staff could locate or confirm any responsive documents.
Both commenters also expressed concerns about the district's approach to instruction on artificial intelligence. Hora, who teaches at the college level, said the district's communications to students emphasized punitive sanctions rather than teaching responsible use. "Everything that's coming out of Valparaiso High School is punitive and negative," she said, urging the district to provide instruction on professional uses of AI rather than strictly prohibitions.
Dr. Allison described ongoing committee work to develop responsible‑use AI guidelines and said the district had been moving cautiously. That process, she said, included pilot efforts with teachers who are early adopters, then wider training and phased deployment. She added the district paused a faster rollout after recent third-party data incidents (instructure and a Naviance notice) to protect student data and to ensure the district can train staff and craft appropriate safeguards.
On the April career fair speaker, administrators apologized for not informing parents sufficiently about the speaker in advance and said they would tighten protocols for vetting and communicating guest‑speaker appearances. The board asked that any outstanding records requests be re‑submitted to the superintendent's office so staff can confirm whether responsive documentation exists.
