The Lawrence school district is accepting applications for volunteers to advise AI (artificial intelligence) policies, practices and curriculum guidelines.
The Ad Hoc Generative AI and Evolving Technologies Advisory will create recommendations that both address embedded biases in the technology and ensure implementation is adaptable, according to the application. They’re also aimed at keeping students, staff and district data safe.
People can apply through Friday, Nov. 14 via this Google form provided by the district.
Superintendent Jeanice Swift told the school board Monday that the district has received more than 50 applications. She said she anticipates the board will consider adopting the committee’s proposal in early 2026.
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The application says selected members will include: two board members; teacher, education support professional and administrator representatives; two community members with content knowledge in education, technology, policy or other relevant areas; union representation from Lawrence Education Association; and “if feasible, student(s).”
Guidance around AI was previously set to be formed by May 2025, after board member Kelly Jones called for an ad hoc committee. Three Lawrence Virtual School students at an April 2024 board meeting shared a study they conducted. They determined virtual assistant ChatGPT can enrich learning, but that begins with technology literacy. At a June 2024 meeting, Jones, who was board president at the time, said the students’ presentation prompted discussion with then-Superintendent Anthony Lewis.
The district disallows students from using AI on work, but it’s not currently embedded in policy.
Some high school students have also criticized Gaggle, the AI surveillance tool the district previously used, since it was first implemented in 2023.
Current and former Lawrence students filed a in August federal civil rights lawsuit claiming the district’s use of Gaggle constituted a “sweeping, suspicionless monitoring program” and violated student rights by flagging and seizing student artwork. It says Gaggle undermines the mental health goals it attempts to address by intercepting appeals for help students may send to teachers or other trusted adults.
The district now uses Managed Methods, an AI monitoring tool that Swift said replaced Gaggle to save costs.
The advisory group will tentatively meet during an evening the week of Dec. 1, in mid-January and in mid-February. Specific meeting dates have not yet been shared.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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