Decorah School Board Approves New AI Policy

DECORAH — The Decorah School Board on Monday approved the second reading of a policy addressing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the educational environment as part of ongoing efforts to adapt to technological advancements. The board also heard a presentation from Piper Sandler financial advisor Travis Squires, who outlined the district's financial challenges amid declining enrollment. Artificial Intelligence in EducationThe board's discussion focused on the implications of AI in schools, with members emphasizing the need to prepare students for a rapidly evolving technological landscape. "Our students need to leave Decorah schools and enter into the world with some knowledge of how to use AI," President of the Board of Directors, Cindy Goodner said. Superintendent Dr. Tim Cronin explained that the new AI policy sets general guidelines but will require additional refinement in local handbooks. "Board policies are more general, and then you funnel them down to specifics in the school handbooks. So, if you're looking for policy that says you can't use this specific website, [for example] Grammarly or ChatGPT—it won't say that in here," he noted, adding that the policy will likely need frequent updates given the fast-paced evolution of AI technologies. The policy addresses privacy, data protection and transparency in the use of AI tools by staff and students. Board members also discussed the importance of professional development for teachers to ensure they can effectively integrate AI into classroom activities. "Staff are going to need a lot of support in navigating these new tools," Goodner said. The policy was unanimously approved after a brief discussion. Financial Overview: Enrollment Decline and Budget ImpactsSquires presented a comprehensive five-year financial forecast for the district, highlighting challenges posed by a loss of 49.5 students in certified enrollment. "When you lose 50 students, at $8,000 per student, you need to think about making a cut of about $400,000," he explained. Squires emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy unspent authorized budget (UAB), a critical indicator of a district's financial stability. "If you run two years of a deficit in your unspent authorized budget, the state can shut you down," he said. In addition to enrollment losses, the district is grappling with a significant deficit in its special education program. "You had an expensive year with respect to your special education programming," Squires said, noting a $1 million deficit due to higher costs for individualized education programs (IEPs). Board members expressed concern about how these financial pressures could impact staffing and services. Squires encouraged the board to "rightsize the budget" by aligning expenditures with reduced enrollment, while also preparing for long-term financial sustainability. Public Comment: Support for Public EducationDuring the open forum, former board member Melanie Tietz spoke about the importance of public education and urged the community to remain vigilant against policies that could harm schools. "Public education has been under attack," Tietz said, advocating for grassroots efforts to support schools and push back against harmful legislation such as private school vouchers. The board thanked Tietz for her remarks and acknowledged the community's ongoing support for public education. Unlock a world of knowledge! Sign up for free DecorahNews.com newsletters and receive local news, local events and everything that is happening in and around Decorah.