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by Victor Park
District leaders say artificial intelligence is here to stay, but some parents and teachers worry schools are moving too fast. (KATU)
PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — The Portland Public Schools Board will consider a proposal Tuesday night that would temporarily halt the expansion of generative artificial intelligence technologies across the district until officials develop a formal oversight framework.
The resolution, scheduled for discussion at the board's 6 p.m. meeting, would pause new contracts, software licenses, pilot programs and procurement actions primarily related to generative AI. It would also stop the expansion of existing AI programs while district leaders conduct a comprehensive review of current technology use.
Supporters of the proposal argue the district has not yet adopted a board-approved policy governing the use of generative AI despite growing concerns about student privacy, academic integrity, intellectual property and compliance with state and federal laws.
"I believe that moving too fast and integrating AI too early are going to have potentially devastating consequences on kids' early learning and developing key skills and critical thinking, problem solving, literacy, and the ability to critically evaluate things that they see around them," Holly Hoffkamp with the organization, "Schools Beyond Screens, told KATU. "From my perspective, both as a parent and a doctor and an educator in that space, I feel that the risks for critical thinking are pretty high, especially for young learners."
The resolution would require district leaders to provide a districtwide assessment within 90 days, including an inventory of all AI tools currently in use, associated contracts and costs, data-sharing agreements and recommendations for future implementation.
The proposal also directs the district to review contracts with education technology vendors and work to prohibit third parties from collecting or sharing personally identifiable student information unless required by law.
If approved, future AI-related contracts would require direct board authorization regardless of the district's normal approval thresholds.
Some districts have embraced AI with guardrails, developing policies that allow teachers and students to use approved tools while providing training and oversight. Others have moved more cautiously, focusing on academic integrity, data privacy and transparency before expanding AI programs. Washington and several other states have either developed or are still developing statewide guidance as districts experiment with limited AI use and teacher training programs.
The discussion also arrives as many school systems reevaluate their broader relationship with educational technology.
Following years of increased classroom technology use during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, some districts and states have begun limiting screen time for younger students and placing new restrictions on digital learning tools amid concerns about attention spans, academic performance and student well-being.
In Oregon, Governor Tina Kotek enacted a cell phone ban in schools for all K-12 public schools.
This month, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson is proposing the same ban across the state.
Nationwide, the Los Angeles Unified School District, among others, has also adopted measures to reduce screen exposure for younger students.
LAUSD launched an AI chatbot known as "Ed" through a multimillion-dollar contract with education technology company AllHere.
The chatbot was promoted as a tool to help students and families navigate academic information, but the project failed within months and was never fully deployed. Federal prosecutors later charged AllHere's founder with fraud, and the company ultimately went bankrupt.
2026 Sinclair, Inc.
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