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District outlines AI framework and presents Board Policy 0441 for first reading
Summary
Director of Instructional Technology Matt Stockton presented the district’s AI strategy, including a three-tier 'stoplight' guidance and approved tools list, and staff brought Board Policy 0441 (Artificial Intelligence) to the board for a first reading; the board will consider adoption at a later meeting.
Matt Stockton, the district’s director of instructional technology and principal-designate for Santa Maria High School, gave a detailed presentation on the district’s approach to artificial intelligence on March 10.
Stockton described a measured rollout that began with blocking public tools in late 2022 and shifted to a controlled adoption after piloting and stakeholder input. "We blocked it for kids," he said of the initial response to generative AI, then described how the district opened access with safeguards after assessing equity concerns. Stockton summarized the framework the district developed: a simple stoplight model (red = no AI, yellow = limited/monitored use, green = permitted with citation and teacher control) and an AI citation guide for student work. He listed approved tools including Magic School AI, Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot and stressed that only approved tools with data agreements may be used with student information.
Stockton also described partner survey results showing majority support for classroom AI use while noting the top concerns: loss of critical thinking, accuracy of tool outputs, and data privacy. "Every single subgroup was above 50%" in support of bringing AI into education, he said, while adding that the district had addressed the top concerns in its guidance. He outlined next steps: an AI work group with staff and students, continued professional learning for teachers and an administrative regulation to accompany the policy for day-to-day practice.
The item moved from presentation to the first reading of Board Policy 0441, which staff described as aligning with the guidance Stockton presented and focusing on safety, staff and student use, professional development and community engagement. Board members characterized the policy as informational at this stage; Miss Hernandez said the policy will appear on a future agenda for formal approval.
Why this matters: the district’s approach ties classroom practice to privacy and academic-integrity safeguards while signaling a plan to incorporate AI literacy into curriculum over time. The board received the first reading for review and scheduled future action.
