district’s partnership with the borough itself. Freehold Borough Schools is a 100 percent walking district, which makes student safety and municipal infrastructure a critical shared responsibility. Michael describes a Safe Routes to School grant secured by the borough after multiple attempts. The grant brought approximately $1 million to improve sidewalks, signage, and lighting, including key areas around school campuses where students cross a county road and move through poorly lit spaces. Pisano emphasizes that this kind of partnership matters because the borough consistently considers the district when planning town changes, recognizing that every student in the district walks to and from school every day. Innovation has become another defining area of growth, particularly through the district’s participation in Digital Promise. Michael explains that Digital Promise provides Freehold Borough with access to a national network of districts working on modern learning initiatives—an especially valuable resource for a smaller district with significant needs and limited flexibility. The district pursued entry through a rigorous interview process, emphasizing its work in innovation, career readiness, multilingual learner support, and its strategic approach to artificial intelligence.After a first-round attempt that did not align with logistical requirements, the district applied again and was accepted quickly, a milestone Michael describes as meaningful validation that even a small district can lead with big ideas. A key component of that innovation strategy is Freehold Borough’s methodical rollout of generative AI. Dela Cruz explains that the district chose a phased approach designed to build understanding and capacity before pushing AI tools into classrooms. In the first year, the district focused on administrators, partnering with leadership organizations to provide professional development around what AI is, how it impacts schools, and how it can support instructional leadership and staff. In the second year, the district expanded training to teachers, focusing on how AI can help with planning, assessment, and classroom practice. The intent is to build a foundation of informed, safe, and purposeful use—recognizing that while AI carries risk, it also offers real potential for instructional efficiency and improved learning 284 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 02
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