Board hears AI update: district has training and K–6 AI literacy, will form stakeholder advisory group

Assistant Superintendent Matthew Slusser and Curriculum Specialist Jessica Jaime briefed the board on the district’s approach to artificial intelligence. AESD said it adopted AI guidelines in 2023 and has continued to develop policy, professional development and tool vetting since then.

Key points: staff currently have access to Gemini for Education and Google Workspace AI features; education-technology tools with AI are being used to support instruction in ways controlled by teachers; district trainings began in 2024 when roughly 119 teachers participated, and in 2025–26 the trainings shifted to shorter, tool-specific sessions and after‑school meetups. Jessica Jaime described K–6 AI literacy curriculum development through the district’s digital citizenship program (for example, kindergarten lessons focus on fact vs. fiction, third grade on identifying altered photos, and sixth grade on evaluating information sources).

Board members asked whether training differs between classified and certificated staff (answer: content is similar but prompt engineering examples are tailored by role), about parent guidance on devices and accounts (staff recommended educational messaging because most students are under the 13‑year minimum age for direct AI account use), and about aligning AI work with mental‑health supports. Staff said teachers control embedded AI tools used with younger students and that an advisory committee including associations and parent groups will be formed to guide future tool selection and safe practices.

Trustees endorsed continued training and recommended targeted parent messaging and collaboration with mental-health staff to address social‑emotional impacts of technology.