they introduce technology but don’t increase the capacity of staff. That’s not the case here.” A THOUGHTFUL APPROACH TO AI With artificial intelligence rapidly reshaping the educational landscape, District 27 has moved quickly—but carefully. Last year, the district rolled out a staff AI usage policy to ensure that AI tools are used safely and appropriately with students. This year, that work expanded to include a student AI policy, clarifying expectations and guardrails. “We want AI to enhance learning, not replace it,” says Dr. Deiter.“We want it to assist students and serve as a coach and a tool—but not think for them.” On the staff side, District 27 has adopted Brisk, an AI-powered tool enabled on teacher devices. Brisk supports teachers with: lesson planning and unit design, drafting and refining communications, and transforming content into different formats— including podcasts for students. Alongside the tool implementation, the district launched an AI cohort—a group of teachers and administrators working together over the course of more than a year to determine how AI should ethically and effectively “play out” in the schools. This year, professional development for all staff is focused on AI throughout the first semester, with a strong emphasis on pedagogy. “As our older students encounter AI writing coaches, for example, we want a shared understanding of where AI belongs and how it should be used to support content learning rather than short-circuit it,” Dr. Olson explains. It’s a model rooted in collaboration, experimentation, and shared responsibility. SUPPORTING THE WHOLE CHILD: SEL, INCLUSION, AND STUDENT SERVICES District 27’s commitment to student success is holistic.Academics matter deeply—but so do mental health, emotional well-being, and inclusive practices. 303 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12 NORTHBROOK SCHOOL DISTRICT 27
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