photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

The Lawrence school district offices building, located at 110 McDonald Dr., is pictured in May 2025.

The last day the Lawrence school district will be accepting applications for its group to help advise its practices and policies on artificial intelligence is Friday.

The group, called the Ad Hoc Generative AI & Evolving Technologies Advisory, will provide recommendations to the school board on generative AI education guidelines, practices, and policies for possible adoption. Its goal is to advance educational equity and explore how AI and other emerging technologies can both enhance and challenge teaching and learning.

The recommendations the ad hoc committee brings to the board are also supposed to utilize a balanced approach in leveraging technological capabilities, and “enrich the student and district staff experience while keeping student, staff and district data safe,” along with addressing “embedded bias” in AI technology.

According to the member application, the AI & Evolving Technologies Advisory meetings are tentatively scheduled for once a month at 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. with likely dates being in the week of Dec. 1, mid-January 2026 and mid-February 2026.

The group will include two school board members; staff representatives from classified, certified and administrative employee groups; two community members with knowledge in education, technology, policy and other relevant areas; one representative from both district unions, the Lawrence Education Association and Education Support Professionals; and if feasible, students.

Superintendent Jeanice Swift told board members on Monday during their business meeting that the district has received over 50 applicants who all provide a wide range of perspectives and experiences related to AI and evolving technologies.

Swift also said on Monday that the goal is for the group to bring recommendations to the board in early 2026.

As the Journal-World reported, board members first floated the idea of creating an ad hoc group to address AI and evolving technologies in June 2024. The committee was originally set to begin during the tenure of former Superintendent Anthony Lewis. The committee was anticipated to be formed by May 2025, however, Lewis resigned before the group was scheduled to begin its work.

The district has previously used an AI surveillance system Gaggle, which several current and former students have filed a lawsuit against. While the district no longer uses the program, they instead implemented a similar program, ManagedMethods. District officials said the use of this program is to be in compliance with “laws such as Children’s Internet Protection Act, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and state student-privacy requirements by controlling access, monitoring for violent threats, and protecting student data.”

People interested in applying to join the Ad Hoc Generative AI & Evolving Technologies Advisory must apply by filling out a Google Form by Friday.