Mineral Point board to survey staff and students on AI use as district weighs guidance

At a Sept. 29 strategic planning meeting, the Mineral Point Unified School District Board of Trustees heard a presentation on artificial intelligence from Dr. Lisa Arenson and representatives of Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA) #3. Dr. Arenson described CESA trainings and an AI Leadership Academy designed to help districts prepare for growing AI use in classrooms and administrative work.

"Can we create parameters and set guidelines for using AI tools for staff and students?" Dr. Lisa Arenson asked as she led the board through areas for a shared set of values and practical supports. Board members discussed using the district's Acceptable Use Policy as the primary lever to influence AI use rather than creating narrowly written AI rules that could quickly become outdated. Dr. Arenson summarized the approach as problem-driven: identify current problems the district faces and assess whether AI is the appropriate solution.

Board members agreed a districtwide survey of staff and students would help establish who is using AI, how they are using it, and their comfort level. Trustee Mitch Wainwright committed to work with Dr. Arenson to develop the survey instrument and determine next steps for training and policy guidance. The board emphasized teaching ethical uses of AI to help students and noted that practical tools could also help retain staff by saving time on routine tasks.

No formal motions or votes were taken during the discussion; the item was treated as informational and as direction to draft a survey and continue exploring CESA-supported trainings.