04/30/2026
Tuesday’s Takeaways: School Board 4/28
Part 2 of 2: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Update
‼️ This presentation began during the Workshop session, but the questions & discussion continued at the end of the Regular session. If you want to watch the video you will need both parts ‼️
📢 This will be broken down by the information as given in the presentation, the questions & discussion, and what’s next
Presentation: Dr. Goldburg, Director of Instructional Technology
➡️ Reviewed the2025-2026 Professional Learning Statement and directives from the federal and state levels that were used in developing the plans. The PL statement begins with “AI use should be selective and intentional.”
‼️selective and intentional ‼️
➡️ Reviewed the implementation timelines which began last summer with Professional Learning & Collaboration and has included:
✅ expectations & ethical usage
✅ 3 required trainings at various intervals
✅ Student integration at the high school level which began November 5
✅ 2 quarterly updates (inclusive of this one)
✅ ongoing training, PL series with an AI Consultant, and AI for DTAL Teams (department of teaching & learning)
✅ development of an AI Application approval process
✅ Stakeholder engagement
🔹🔹 there is ongoing training for high school including a PD series for staff
➡️ Reviewed the AI tools being used by staff and HS students, as well as the level of use
🔹 Google Gemini is the primary tool for staff and HS students, and is available for HS students to use only during school hours ❗️firewalls are in place on school issued devices to prevent use outside of school hours - this is one of the division’s “guardrails”❗️
🔹 ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot and MagicSchool.ai are the other 3 main tools used by staff.
🔹 There are several approved applications for staff use that fall into these areas: Image Generation, Feedback, Instructional Design, and Efficiency
🔹NotebookLM is an efficiency app that assists students with studying. An example given was how Students can upload a study guide and it will create a desired study tool such as podcast, flash cards, practice quiz, etc.
🔹Securly is being used to monitor chat and overall usage and allows staff to see in real time what is being done. DOT can also pull histories for review when usage is flagged
➡️ Reviewed HS student usage of Gemini from Jan 28 through March 24 (39 school days)
✅ 69% of students use Gemini, which means 31% do not use AI
🔹 46% of HS students are light users with 1-49 prompts per user
🔸 21% of HS students are regular users with 50-299 prompts per user
🛑 2% (approximately 388 HS students) are power users with at least 300, but some exceeding 1000, prompts per user
📢 students who have an objection to using AI can request alternative assignments, and this is done through a process with the teacher and administrator
➡️ Reviewed stakeholder feedback
✅ teachers find the technical collaborative support, professional development, and efficiency & quality helpful
🛑 resource overload and time constraints are a major concern/hindrance for teachers
🔸 teachers feel the need to ensure AI is used to elevate learning and not diminish it, and to prioritize process over product
🔹 15 PTA meetings across various levels received an overview presentation and attendees were given the opportunity to provide feedback (there are 12 high schools alone)
‼️ there is a desire from parents to have a clear roadmap for next steps with AI
➡️ Next steps (as originally presented)
✅ selection of instructional platform for ES teachers, and build teacher capacity. ES students will not engage in AI
🔸 selection of instructional platform for MS teachers and students, introduce guardrails and visibility for MS student use, and training for MS students and teachers with MS students beginning work on the platform November 4, 2026
✅ selection of instructional platform for HS teachers, continued guardrails for HS students, training for teachers to continue capacity building. Gemini will continue to be platform of choice for HS students.
Questions & Discussion by the School Board
➡️ Multiple SB members expressed concerns about the proposed implementation of AI use by MS students in November 2026. The overall reaction was that in the original presentation the SB was not told there would be expansion into MS, and their understanding was that AI use would only be for HS students. The discussion ranged from needing more information to feel comfortable, wanting to delay while more data at the HS level is collected, to putting a stop to consideration of MS student use.
➡️ Several SB members expressed a desire for a more in-depth presentation on what the guardrails are and how they’re used.
➡️ Some SB members expressed concerns over the HS students identified as “power users”. There were questions about how those students are being guided moving forward with AI use
➡️ There were questions about the reliability of AI outputs and how staff and students are being trained/guided in how to determine the reliability and acceptability of AI products
➡️ There were questions about the approval process for various AI tools, if the applications are through contracted vendors or free (there are some of both), and Digital Privacy Agreements
➡️ A couple SB members had concerns over the use of NotebookLM, and staff using it to turn a course into an Independent Study situation instead of actually teaching ‼️questioning the professionalism of teachers ‼️
What’s Next?
🔹More information and detailed presentations will be provided to the SB and this will be a topic at the School Board retreat in July
🔹MS implementation is being put on hold for now given the clear discomfort of the SB at this point in time
🔹 Families need to familiarize themselves with the resources on the VBCPS website regarding AI including the policies & guidance, frequently asked questions, how AI will be used in schools, guardrails, resources for families, and information on “ What is Artificial Intelligence?”
https://www.vbschools.com/academics/digitalliteracy/how-ai-will-be-used-in-schools
