In a unanimous vote, Chico Unified School District’s Board of Education committed to creating an artificial intelligence and technology advisory group at its Sept. 23 meeting.
The new “work group” will consist of five to seven members, including teachers, administrators, parents, students and IT staff.
This group will host regular forums, where members of the public can bring forward ideas and concerns about the use of AI and technology across the district’s classrooms, campuses and curricula. The group will also make recommendations to the Board of Education.
Such a committee, said Trustee Tom Lando, who proposed the group, would ensure “that we had input from both students and families in our community to make sure that all of our technology-aligned policies were centered on what is best for students.”
This group comes in the shadow of ongoing concern over the district’s use of advanced technology, including its recent $2 million purchase of facial-recognition-capable security cameras.
“If you’re keeping up with the news at all, you’ll see every day some new story about computer technology or artificial intelligence,” Lando said. “It strikes me as something that would be very useful if we had a committee or body of some sort.”
While the board’s appetite for public input on AI rang clear, some trustees stayed cold on the power an advisory group should have.
Teisha Hase, the trustee from district three, was uncomfortable with the work group steering district policy.
“It’s important that we understand what the purpose of this work group is, and that there’s not an expectation that the work group is going to be passing policy,” said Hase. “Simply because I hear input doesn’t mean I have to agree with you.”
Parents who spoke at the meeting seemed to want discussion on the topic.
“With this emerging technology, parents can provide impact,” Theresa Ban, a Hooker Oak elementary parent, told the board during public comment.
“This is happening in other school districts across the globe,” Ban said. “Everywhere this conversation is happening, and Chico will be way behind the ball in terms of understanding the impact and understanding how to write this into curriculum, protecting students, protecting educators.”
Also addressing the board was Elaine Ward, the parent of CUSD middle and high schoolers.
“If we are going to continue to give the internet to our students, we have to find a way to educate them,” Ward told the board. “We need to educate our students on how to be more successful in their adult lives and that is having more knowledge when it comes to tech usage.”
Hase reminded the audience members of another way to voice opinions on district matters: November’s board elections.
“I just want it to be clear to the public that your opportunity to make sure that your voice is heard is by voting,” said Hase. “Pay attention to people who are running because we’re your representative voice.”
Trustee seats 1, 4 and 5, are up for election in November. Those seats are currently held by board members Lando, Eileen Robinson and Board President Rebecca Konkin.
Board Vice President Gayle Olsen proposed a special session to discuss both this committee and the district’s use of AI in general. That special session is yet to be scheduled.
Elias S. Myers is a contributor to ChicoSol.