credentials that lead directly to livable-wage employment. PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE OF WORK As industries evolve, so too must education. Portage Public Schools has taken a proactive approach to technology integration, including the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence in education. Rather than ignoring AI or reacting to it defensively, district leadership has focused on professional development and policy discussion. Teachers, administrators, and support staff receive ongoing training to understand how AI can be used responsibly as a tool—while maintaining academic integrity and authentic student work. “We don’t want technology replacing teaching,” Edwards emphasizes. “We want to enhance instruction and help students learn how to use these tools wisely.” INVESTING IN FACILITIES THAT SUPPORT LEARNING Portage’s educational strategy is supported by significant capital investment. The community has passed two major bond proposals, one in 2021 and another in 2025, enabling the district to modernize facilities across the system. Two new elementary schools—Haverhill and Central—opened this fall, designed explicitly for collaborative, flexible learning. A third elementary school, Woodland, is currently under construction, with additional replacements planned for aging facilities. The district is also investing in a new early childhood center and upgrades to its alternative education program at Community High School. When current projects are completed, every school building in the district will have been replaced or renovated within a 20-year span—an achievement that reflects extraordinary community support. Safety and security have been central to these investments, with modern access controls, visibility design, and building systems integrated into every new facility. Technology infrastructure has likewise 367 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 01 PORTAGE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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