USD 331 Board of Education Reviews AI Policy

The USD 331 Board of Education Monday held the first reading of a policy regarding AI usage in the classroom, one that had been discussed earlier this year but had never been approved.

Per the policy, the framework for AI usage in the classroom include a stoplight model, which indicates when AI may or may not be utilized.

At red level, no AI may be used, such as for tests, quizzes and assessments. Yellow level refers to planning and brainstorming, for which AI may be used to organize thoughts or ideas but final work must be original.

At green level, AI may be used for collaboration with oversight, such as drafting content, then editing it after a critical review. Blue level allows for full AI use, such as with advanced projects, innovation challenges or any AI-powered research.

USD 331 Superintendent Kip Wilson said that teachers had requested some sort of structure and guidelines in how AI may be utilized. He said that kids should learn how to use it and it can be useful to measure how much they are learning.

Wilson said that the model gives students and teachers an idea about when AI may be utilized and allows students to learn how AI works.

In response to board questions about whether or not there should be a standard for teachers when it came to a percentage mark of AI usage, Wilson said that he didn’t know if that would be spelled out in the policy but it’s something to look at. He added that it ties into other discussions about technology, such as balancing between classroom work with technology and without it

Something else Wilson mentioned was the usage of GoGuardian by teachers, which allows teachers to keep track of technology students use and restrict access to certain programs when they are using their Chromebooks.

The policy is expected to come back before the board at its August meeting for approval.

Also at Monday’s meeting, the board approved seeking bids to install a concrete path on the preschool playground and shade structures, for which estimated costs are $53,500.

USD 331 Assistant Superintendent Andy Albright told the board that the district had about $49,500 in grant money to go toward the project. Kingman Elementary School preschool teacher Morgan Clouse spoke with the board in May about her ideas and the grant funding she had secured.

Board member Errica Parsons, who made the motion to seek bids, noted that the district wouldn’t have much difference to make up between the estimate and the funding already secured.

Albright said the hope is that the work can be done in two to three weeks and be finished by the time school starts Aug. 18.

In other business, board President Tab Turner discussed a request from Norwich EMS Director Chrissy Bartel about having school teachers and staff members at Norwich serve as EMS members.

Turner noted that Norwich EMS, like many volunteer EMS departments, is having trouble finding volunteers and Bartel wondered if it would be OK to have staff members volunteer. He said that Norwich School used to have several staff members who worked for EMS.

Wilson said that the one issue the district would need to consider is how to cover for a staff member who has to respond to an EMS call.

Turner said he believed the district would be willing to help in any way it could and suggested Wilson visit with Bartel to figure out what can be done.

The board also approved retaining Tab Turner as board president and Kristi Brown as board vice president. The school board selects a president and vice president in July of each year.