North Public Schools board hears warnings about classroom AI and approves consent docket

The North Public Schools Board of Education, District 29, met for its regularly scheduled session where a public commenter urged caution about classroom technology and artificial intelligence, district staff reported on energy recognitions and storm recovery, and the board approved its consent docket before adjourning.

Terena Alexander, introduced by the chair as a public commenter, told the board that a decade-long push for one-to-one devices had produced worse academic outcomes in her view: "The overuse of technology in schools is holding our children back, not pushing them forward." She said that scores had dropped, that students were losing handwriting skills and that artificial intelligence "is being pushed on schools and students again by big tech" without sufficient testing or evidence of safety or effectiveness. Alexander warned of mental health harms, increased cheating and reduced attention if schools expand AI use.

The speaker's remarks came during the public communications portion of the meeting; the board did not respond during that segment, consistent with its stated public-comment rules.

In an administrative report, Mister Miller highlighted the district's energy program and credited staff leadership, saying the district had grown its Energy Star recognitions "right now we're at 24 or 25 sites. We're just waiting on application on the last 1." Miller reviewed recent storm-related facility impacts: a transformer at Madison Elementary was lost and crews worked with OG and E to restore power, some HVAC units at the Cleveland Gym were damaged and have been replaced, and central kitchen staff moved freezer items to other freezers so "the loss of food was minimal." He also noted the summer meal program continues through July 31, the enrollment center at Norman High is open for in-person registration, and school is scheduled to start August 13.

A board member moved to accept the purchase orders and approve the consent docket as listed on the agenda; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll-call affirmation recorded in the transcript. Later the board moved and seconded to adjourn and the meeting concluded.

The board did not take further formal action on technology or AI policy at this meeting; the public comment and staff report were the primary substantive items of record. The meeting was brief and procedural items were completed, with the next steps implied as ongoing administrative work and future agenda scheduling.