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Groton reviews multi‑year tech plan; E‑Rate delays and AI policy work prompt caution
Summary
The district presented a multi‑year technology plan including device refresh cycles, firewall upgrades, and an AI‑policy committee update; administrators warned that E‑Rate delays could affect category‑2 discounts and urged aligning grant acceptance with FY28 IT planning.
Dr. Kennedy presented Groton’s long‑term technology plan and an AI‑committee update at the July 13 meeting, urging careful coordination as federal E‑Rate reviews continue.
The technology plan covered teacher and student device refresh cycles, firewall and networking upgrades, and the impending end‑of‑life for Promethean classroom boards. Dr. Kennedy explained the E‑Rate program and said Groton has historically qualified for roughly an 80% reimbursement rate for eligible category‑1 services and—when funding is available—category‑2 equipment discounts. "That has been held up... a letter from Brendan Carr... they are reviewing all applications," he said, describing delays that may affect whether the district receives category‑2 discounts for hardware such as firewalls.
Board members asked for data on device damage and nonreturns, the existing $20 annual insurance fee, and whether leasing or buying devices is preferable. On AI, Dr. Kennedy summarized five months of committee work and surveys of parents and staff; the committee plans to draft operational rules for summer, expand professional learning, and pilot ‘‘sandbox’’ experiences for staff and parents. Board members urged caution, particularly regarding automated assessment use and student learning impacts.
What’s next: Technology will provide a report on device damage and nonreturns and integrate any accepted grants into the FY28 IT plan; the AI committee will draft rules over the summer and present them before the November PD day.
