Suffield Board holds professional development on AI, emphasizes "durable" student skills
April 20, 2026 | Suffield School District, School Districts, Connecticut
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Maureen Sattan, board chair, called the Suffield Board of Education onference to order at 6:35 p.m. April 20 in the Suffield High School Media Center. The board convened its regular meeting and then took part in a professional development session led by Jonathan Costa, executive director of EdAdvance.
Costa framed his presentation around the accelerating pace of disruption tied to artificial intelligence, saying many transactional tasks are increasingly automated and that schools should prioritize "human-centered transformational skills" that machines are less able to replicate. He urged a shift from viewing AI solely as a classroom tool to understanding its broader implications for curriculum, instruction and system design.
The presenter identified several skills he described as durable: the ability to curate and verify information, creative synthesis of ideas, algorithmic thinking and interdisciplinary problem solving. Board members discussed how to balance foundational content knowledge with opportunities for students to apply those skills in project-based and cross-disciplinary learning.
Board discussion also covered governance practices Costa recommended for supporting instructional change: focusing on the district mission, maintaining clarity about roles and responsibilities, applying systems thinking to district operations, and adhering to policies and bylaws when implementing new programs.
The meeting record notes Superintendent Matt Dunbar and Assistant Superintendent Laura Norbut, Ed.D., were in attendance for the presentation. The board recorded no formal action on curriculum or policy during the session; the professional development was presented and discussed.
Votes at a glance: The board approved adjournment at 8:40 p.m. on a motion by Maureen Sattan, seconded by Sam Toskin; all members present voted in favor. Minutes from the meeting were recorded as subject to approval at the regular May 4, 2026 meeting.
Costa framed his presentation around the accelerating pace of disruption tied to artificial intelligence, saying many transactional tasks are increasingly automated and that schools should prioritize "human-centered transformational skills" that machines are less able to replicate. He urged a shift from viewing AI solely as a classroom tool to understanding its broader implications for curriculum, instruction and system design.
The presenter identified several skills he described as durable: the ability to curate and verify information, creative synthesis of ideas, algorithmic thinking and interdisciplinary problem solving. Board members discussed how to balance foundational content knowledge with opportunities for students to apply those skills in project-based and cross-disciplinary learning.
Board discussion also covered governance practices Costa recommended for supporting instructional change: focusing on the district mission, maintaining clarity about roles and responsibilities, applying systems thinking to district operations, and adhering to policies and bylaws when implementing new programs.
The meeting record notes Superintendent Matt Dunbar and Assistant Superintendent Laura Norbut, Ed.D., were in attendance for the presentation. The board recorded no formal action on curriculum or policy during the session; the professional development was presented and discussed.
Votes at a glance: The board approved adjournment at 8:40 p.m. on a motion by Maureen Sattan, seconded by Sam Toskin; all members present voted in favor. Minutes from the meeting were recorded as subject to approval at the regular May 4, 2026 meeting.
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