“Do we have a policy on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for staff or students?” Jennifer Keyes asked during last week’s Colman-Egan School Board meeting.
Superintendent Scott Hemmer said the district doesn’t yet have an official policy, though the Associated School Boards of South Dakota released recommended guidelines in May.
Hemmer noted there are resources the district is using currently and recommending staff refer to, but added that many districts are struggling to keep pace with the rapid evolution of AI tools, which students can use as resources — or to complete their work for them — raising concerns about plagiarism and cheating.
Despite the risks, education experts in general are looking at AI as a potential game-changer for schools. Nearly half of U.S. states have issued guidance on generative AI, with resources now available from the Department of Education, including a 70-page report titled “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning.”

The board will need to weigh the opportunities and challenges as AI continues to reshape education.
Also heard at the most recent meeting of the CE School Board:
● Internet Safety: Students recently met with Daniel Miller, a Division of Criminal Investigations Crime Safety Specialist, who discussed handling inappropriate content and reporting suspicious activity.
● 2024-25 School Calendar: Next year’s start and end date, holiday schedule and a proposed two-week break over Christmas and New Year’s are under review.
● Deportation Concerns: Keys also highlighted the potential local impact of deportation policies and emphasized the need for proactive measures.
● Sports Complex Exploration: Soil sampling was conducted on two potential sites for a future complex. Public input will be sought once details are finalized.
● Building Repairs: Superintendent Hemmer outlined needed fixes in the old gym, including roof repairs and door replacements, with help from Midwest Glass.
● New School Addition: Construction remains on schedule, with completion expected in May and opening in June.