Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 previews districtwide AI policy, seeks teacher and parent input

The Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 Board of Education heard an update on the district's AI work group and a draft policy that district leaders plan to refine with educator and community input. Superintendent Eric Reed said the draft and accompanying classroom guidelines are intended to be practical tools for teachers and families as the district builds a formal policy.

Dr. Ribble, who has worked on the district's AI guidance since 2023, told the group the plan is to keep a short formal policy while publishing a more detailed guideline and handouts for classroom use and family reference. "We felt like there was a policy part and then a guideline part," Dr. Ribble said, describing the guidelines as a teaching tool rather than only a compliance document.

The district emphasized training and a vetting process for AI tools. Todd Bryant, assistant director of technology, described a spreadsheet and form the tech team is using to screen tools for privacy and compliance with district standards. "We're adding a section of AI" to the district's existing website- and app-vetting process, he said, so that the team can recommend only approved, education-focused tools that do not retain student data.

Board members and staff said the guidance would move next through the district policy committee and superintendent cabinet and that the district aims to have policy in place before the start of the next school year. Staff invited continued feedback from teachers and parents as they finalize language and rollout plans.

Next steps: district staff will continue vetting tools, expand professional development tied to the policy and return to the board after policy-committee review. The district asked community members with concerns to use the district's question/concern matrix so staff can route and address issues at the appropriate level.