KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

The Tullahoma City Schools Board of Education went over its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Enforcement Report regarding how the school system used AI programs during the school year.  

The policy, called BOE Policy 4.214, was approved by the school board back in September 2024, where it stated that the Director of Schools was required to provide a report regarding how the policy will be enforced and the report must be approved by the school board annually in June. Per the policy, school staff may use AI in the completion of their own work, which may include, but not limited to, drafting communication notes, images and the development of content for instructional and administrative purposes, as well as analyzing data and information.

Director of Schools Dr. Catherine Stephens presented the report to the other school board members during the June meeting stating the report will also be provided the Tennessee Department of Education, as required, following the school board’s vote.

 Stephens said as part of the report, the state department requires for a list of all the generative AI programs approved and used by the teachers, which added up to 154 programs. According to the reported presented to the school board, to stay ahead of potential risks and to maintain a secure digital environment for students the district conducts monthly audits to identify domains accessed for generative AI websites to block them off from student use.

“As a reminder, in our policy we do not have generative AI programs to students as of yet,” Stephens said. “We’re making sure our teachers feel strong and confident in that area first with MagicSchool, which is going to be the main generative AI program being used.”

According to the reported presented to the school board, the district piloted MagicSchool during the second semester of the 2024-2025 school year. Per the report, MagicSchool is an AI-powered platform that helps educators save time and improve instruction by offering a wide range of tools to support lesson planning, differentiation, classroom management, communication and so on. In addition, teachers could input specific details–such as grade level, subject or standards–and generate customized resources like lesson plans, rubrics, writing prompts and other goals. The report said that based on positive feedback from teachers and usage data, the district approved to purchase MagicSchool for staff use during the 2025-2026 school year. It will be open to all employees to use, with training provided during in-service with follow-up training later in the year.

Stephens added that only high school students will be allowed to step into the AI space during the second semester. According to the report presented to the board, if MagicSchool is launched for high school students in the second semester, a ParentSquare notification will need to be sent out before students and staff leave for Christmas Break. Then, starting in the 2026-2027 school year, parents and guardians will sign an acknowledgement that students in the affected grades will be using MagicSchool as an instructional tool.

When opened to discussion, school board member Andy Whitt said he was happy that the board was being cautious with the handling of AI programs.

“I think it’s a useful tool, but it’s also an incredibly dangerous tool too,” Whitt said. “This rollout of taking it step by step, I think, is a smart thing to do.”

Stephens agreed and added predicted AI programs are in schools through some programs used, which she stated is different than generative AI that generates something from scratch based on a prompt.

With no further discussion, the board unanimously approved of the annual report.