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District outlines AI pilot, privacy and campus‑safety upgrades in technology report
Summary
El Monte Union's technology lead and an instructional coach presented AI policy updates, a proposed SchoolAI pilot at South El Monte High School and recent infrastructure and cybersecurity upgrades, citing a past ransomware incident and new classroom modernization investments.
Eric Steelman, the district's chief technology and information services officer, told trustees the district has invested in network and classroom modernization, bought devices through "Access for All" and upgraded over 10,000 network access points to support 1:1 learning. He said infrastructure investments exceed $3 million and highlighted completed upgrades to audio‑visual systems and voice amplification in classrooms.
"We've made dramatic improvements" since a ransomware incident, Steelman said, describing work with the FBI and Homeland Security and steps to meet cyber‑insurance compliance. Instructional coach Nicole Wessel outlined a district plan for professional development and pilot programs around generative AI, reporting teacher interest and pilot proposals such as SchoolAI and Magic School. Wessel described a phased approach: policy first (an AI addendum to the acceptable use policy), then focused professional development and a proof‑of‑concept pilot at a single high school before districtwide rollout.
Trustees asked about facial‑recognition features in upgraded camera systems, data privacy and false‑positive rates; staff said the video platform is cloud‑based under a data‑privacy agreement and that the district is working to limit exposure while using AI features for investigations and campus safety. Trustees expressed support for careful rollout and emphasis on critical‑thinking instruction and student data protection.
