001Madam Secretary Let's all rise for the pledge of allegiance, please. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I agree with you on that. I am calling to order the regular meeting of the MSD of Pike Township regular meeting. Uh first up, we have for the good of the cause. Patrons are asked to identify themselves and they have 3 minutes and again, this is for the good of the cause. Hi, I'm Marty Hofer. Thank you for having me. Uh Secretary Barnes, board, um cabinet who is banished for tonight, but that's okay. Um Superintendent Young, um I'm here on behalf of the Pike Township Educational Foundation. I'm happy to report that at Treasures,
002our gala that we held in early March, um we raised about $40,000, which is a little less than last year, but still a great number. Um So that's fantastic. Thank you to the board members who were there. I believe there were three of you there, so thank you very much for your support and as well to cabinet and others who were there. Um and then last night, our um well, let me back up to Monday night, our grant committee met and we have awarded about $9,000 in grants that will go out. We have just a little bit of money left. So, if you're a teacher or school employee who's listening, there will be one more grant cycle for this year because we do have a little bit of money left that we want to spend.
003So, that's very exciting, those $9,000 in grants. And then finally, last night the scholarship committee met and they awarded $80,000 in scholarships, which is so very exciting. [applause] So, that 40,000 that came in in March went out the door as 80,000 last night. Not sure how that maths, but it somehow maths and it's all to support Pike kids, which is fantastic. Our golf outing is coming up on Thank you, June 18th. As I stand here with no notes. Um so, if you would like to um make a donation of a prize or sponsor some golfers or come and golf, um it's always a good time on June 18th. And thank you very much for your support. We appreciate all you do for our Pike kids. Thank you. If there are no other uh community members
004who want to speak for good of the cause, we'll move on to our next item, spotlight on Pike, Sarah Dorsey. Good evening. It's wonderful to see you all again. As always, we have a lot going on in Pike tonight. Specifically, I think we have five things going. Um prior to break, several of our student athletes signed their letters of intent. Shawn Nash, DeMario Smith, and Kevin Tishner plan to continue their football careers at Trine University. Latrell Morton plans to continue his football career at Gannon University. Josh Murray and LJ Smith plan to continue their football careers at Saint Mary of the Woods. And additionally, Lillian Richardson will continue her soccer and softball career at Catridge College and Katie Lopez will continue her soccer career at Tiffin University. So, we like to congratulate those student athletes
005on their achievements. We will also want to congratulate Priscilla Sa- Sabajo, who received first a first place award, and Elizabeth Bolton, who received a merit award in the prestigious Brown County Art Guild Student Painting Exhibition Contest recently. Over break, the accolades and honors for our winter continue to roll in as well. Isaiah Hill and Jahari Miller were named to the Indiana Junior All-Stars team. Isaiah, Jahari, and Landon Lamply were named to the Supreme 15, which is a list of the top 15 players regardless of class, and they and Kenneth Lamply were named to the IBCA Underclassman All-State. On the girls basketball side, Marley Jeffers was named to the IndyStar Girls Basketball All-USA Central Indiana Super Team First Team. Alana Divine was named to the third team. Sanaya Smith received high honorable mention. And Malia Evans,
006Saveya Mitchell, Chamy Williams, Corrine Nicholson, Alyssa Nichols, Anaya Bishop, Denaya Warren, Kamari Booker, and Morgan Anderson received honorable mention. So, we are extremely proud of those talented student athletes. >> [clears throat] >> And we also have pre-season for winter sports next year and pre-season for spring sports recognition coming in. So, it is just a lot of great things as far as our student athletes are concerned. Pike High School hosts their annual community Earth Day celebration on Thursday, April 23rd from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. And they always have a lot of great activities, but they've added a couple new things. This year's event will feature a storybook trail in the Robin Run Forest hosted by the public library, Earth Day themed themed poetry performances from the high school's well-read devils, and music from the high school's
007guitar club. So, we encourage the community to come out and join us for that. Also, all of our elementary schools will host kindergarten expo on Thursday, April 30th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the schools, meet the staff, explore a school bus, and confirm or complete their enrollment. Additionally, we just want to remind everyone that the online registration and enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year is also open. And you can find information and those applications on our website at msdpike.org. Last but never least, we would like to recognize the generous donor listed on this evening's agenda. Thank you to Abby Downs for donating food items to our Pike Red Zone Food Pantry. Our next pantry distribution is this coming Monday, April 13th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and that
008takes place at the Pike Freshman Center. Thank you. Next up, we have reports to the board of the Superintendent's Above and Beyond Award Recognition, Dr. Hunter. Good evening, Madam Secretary members of the board, Dr. Young. I have the honor tonight of introducing Ms. Danielle Jones, the principal of Snacks Crossing Elementary School as she presents the Superintendent Above and Beyond Award. >> [cough and clears throat] >> Good evening, everyone. Mr. President, members of the board, and Dr. Young, and everyone else here. I am so excited to present my Above and Beyond for Snacks Crossing Elementary. I'm here with my assistant principal, Mr. Holmes. It is also AP week, so I just knew he needed to come and support. The first candidate that I have, she is um a gem at our school, Ms. Kelly Marshall. She
009is our school social worker. Um she is one of the most dedicated social workers that I know. Um she consistently goes above and beyond for our school community, for our families, for our students, and for staff. Um she leads several programs for our school, the Kiwanis Kids Club, Paws to Read, student ambassadors, and the thing about the student ambassadors asked in an email and asked, um this is what my vision is, what my plan is, is there anyone who would take the lead and the charge? And she's been on it. I haven't I've literally had to do nothing else. Um she organizes meaningful events that bring joy and connection to our students. She pours her heart into everything she does. She is in charge of our Operation School Bell for the entire Pike um Township
010student body. She is a steady source of support. Teachers can go to her, uh students can go to her, parents can go to her. She is always ready with resources, guidance, and compassion. She's very flexible. She thinks outside of the box, and she truly has our families' interests at heart. Because of her, our students feel seen, supported, and valued, which supported supports our You Matter theme. It is my pleasure to recognize Mrs. Kelly Marshall. >> [applause] >> Get ready. 1 2 Perfect. Thank you, too. >> [applause] >> And for my next, um, candidate, she is someone who is near and dear to my heart. We kind of started the same year, um, together at Snacks Crossing, and that is Ms. Renita Nance. Ms. Nance is an instructional assistant in our school. She works in, um,
011our behavior support classroom. And she brings so much life and joy not only to that classroom, but to the entire building. Um, not only does she work as an instructional assistant, she is also an author, a published author. She has two books, uh, The Biggest Lemon Ever, and then she has a book that is called You Are Made of Magic. One children's book is a motivational color coloring book, and that also supports our theme, You Matter, and I'll tell you a little bit more about that. And then The Biggest Lemon Ever is just a children's book, and she uses her craft to, um, invite the students into the learning. So, they participate in the literacy nights or any events, um, she'll go and read to the classrooms. I cannot remember what she calls these activities,
012but she's like, "Ms. Jones, I got a something something." And I'm like, "Can I do this?" And I'm like, "Absolutely sure, as long as it's all right, it's good." Um, her You Are Made of Magic book, it's a coloring book. The students, um, are able to draw a picture of themselves, and then inside the coloring book are different words of affirmation. And we all know that our kids and our adults, they just need so much of that. She truly embodies the culture and climate of our school. She goes above and beyond every single day. Um, it is rare that she misses. Um, and when she does, I do give her a hard time, but it's very rare. She plans and organizes activities for not only the classroom that she serves, but it benefits the entire
013school. She teaches STEM in that classroom, um, and she just does an amazing job. Her intention is to bring joy and connection among staff and students. She has a special way of bringing everyone together. Her positive energy is contagious and her impact is felt throughout the entire building. She makes our school brighter, more inclusive, and a joyful place to learn, and I am proud to present her with this award, Miss Renita. >> [applause] >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And I'll be 40 next week. >> [laughter] >> Happy birthday. She's going to make me cry. Yes, happy early birthday. two, three. Beautiful. Thank you. Happy birthday. >> [applause] >> Madam Secretary, Mr. President, members of the board, Dr. Young, I have the honor of introducing Ms. Jennifer Cole-Hahn, the director of Exceptional Learners, as
014she comes now and presents the Superintendent Above and Beyond Award. Good evening, Mr. President, members of the board, and Dr. Young. Tonight, I have the privilege of recognizing two individuals whose passion for students with disabilities is evident in everything that they do, and whose impact far reaches beyond these students to the entire school community. Mr. Wally, principal of Pike High School, is unable to be here this evening due to some athletic events at the school. However, he shared the following about our first recipient. Although Mrs. Katadia serves Pike High School as a counselor, her passion, leadership, and unwavering commitment to special education and inclusion have elevated our Best Buddies program beyond expectations. Her recognition last year as the Best Buddies I'll get this right. You probably could help me. The Best Buddies Faculty Advisor of
015the Year for the entire state of Indiana was earned based on her unwavering commitment to the ideals of the organization. She also led the state in fundraising dollars and has provided numerous trainings for the Best Buddies organization as a whole. For our second recipient, Mrs. Tori Miller, Mr. Wally shared, "Mrs. Miller has been pivotal in developing the Best Buddies program for our students with special needs. Our students have not only been blessed with the opportunity to participate in the program, but have been provided the platform to build meaningful relationships and and further the cause for inclusive activities. We are excited for the future of this program and the opportunities it will provide our students. As the director of exceptional learners, I've been privileged to watch the Pike High School Best Buddies program go from good
016to great and it's just getting better every single year. We couldn't be more thrilled to have both a special educator and a general educator at the helm. That inclusive leadership is at the heart of the program as well as exemplifies the vision of the exceptional learners department as a whole. Thank you so much, Mrs. Katadia and Ms. Miller, for all that you do to create community welcoming to all students. Our community is forever grateful. Thank you. >> [applause] >> The best Woody's sponsors. This man. Or Wayne Castle full Ben Davis. Okay, ready? One, two, three. Do you want one more? One, two, three. Okay, thank you. >> [applause] >> Madam Secretary, Mr. President, members of the board, and Dr. Young, I have the honor of introducing Ms. Raquisha Blandon, the coordinator of the the Dr.
017Nathaniel Jones Early Learning Center, as she presents the Superintendent's Above and Beyond Award. All right. Mr. President and Dr. Young, members of the board, the audience, hello and good afternoon evening. It is with great pride and appreciation that I recognize Ms. Stacy Ferguson. She is our recipient of the Above and Beyond Award, and this honor reflects not only her unwavering dedication to her students and families, but also her leadership, her initiative, her heart that she consistently shows and brings to our school community. Her commitment to excellence is evident in the way that she supports both her students and her colleagues. As a team leader, she goes far beyond expectations, guiding her peers, collaborating on meaningful instructional practices, and playing an instrumental role in collaboration on curriculum design and PLC scheduling in our building. Also helping
018to ensure that the work for Pike's youngest learners remains focused, purposeful, and impactful for every scholar we serve. Most recently, her actions during a time of need truly exemplified her character. When a colleague, who is here videoing, >> [laughter] >> was out on leave due to medical reasons, she took it upon herself to organize and coordinate a plan amongst her team to ensure that the students in that classroom continued receiving high-quality instruction in reading, writing, phonics, and math. Because of her thoughtful leadership and proactive approach, students experienced consistency and support without any interruption. This level of care, professionalism, and commitment speaks volumes about who she is as a person and an educator. Ms. Ferguson, your dedication, teamwork, and passion do not go unnoticed. You embody the very best of what it means to be an
019educator and a leader. We are incredibly grateful, thankful, and blessed to have you as part of our NJ ELC family. Congratulations to you on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for all that you do. >> [applause] >> Ready? One, two, three. Perfect. Thank you. >> [applause] [applause] >> Madam Secretary, Mr. President, members of the board, and Dr. Young, I now have the honor of introducing Ms. Tina Foster, the principal of the Great New Augusta South Public Academy, as he comes to present the Superintendent's Above and Beyond Award. Good evening, Mr. President, members of the board, Dr. Young. I am excited to be here today to present this award to a very deserving person. I just have to say this, he is a new dad. This is This is baby number three and not even a
020week. I think the baby's 4 days 4 or 5 days old, but he's here. That's the kind of dedication that he has and his lovely wife who just gave birth. So, let me tell you more. That Yeah, dedication. Dedication. [laughter] Dedication. Absolutely. I am proud to nominate Mr. Benjamin Wilson for the Superintendent Above and Beyond Award. Mr. Wilson is a dedicated, hardworking teacher who consistently supports and promotes success of all students at New Augusta South. Um especially those in his classroom. He creates a positive and engaging learning environment where students feel valued and motivated. Beyond the classroom, Mr. Wilson volunteers with All Pro Dads at New Augusta South and actively participates in school events, demonstrating his strong commitment to our school community. Thank you, Mr. Wilson, for your dedication to the students of New Augusta
021South. He is truly deserving of this recognition. Thank you. >> [applause] [applause] [laughter] >> Ready? 1 3. Perfect. Thank you. >> [laughter] [applause] [laughter] >> We'll give a couple minutes for adjusting here. Yes. Thank you. >> Seats are vacated and filled. Thank you. Here they come. I'm just getting a seat. Okay. All right. We'll move on to our second report to the board, the AI initiatives, Mr. Heck. Madam Secretary, members of the board, Dr. Young. Um I am really pleased to present on our AI initiatives in Pike, and I'm joined up here by a fabulous team of educators who have helped with this AI initiative. Um this is Mrs. Audrey Cope, who does our technology integration specialist for the district, Patty Hammerly, who is our CTE coach at the high school, Dr. LaMarcus Hall, who
022is a alternative ed teacher at Lincoln, Hannah Stichter, exceptional learners teacher at New Augusta North, and Nicole Faulkner, who is our parent and family liaison. Or yeah, I don't think I got her title right, but I was close to it. >> [laughter] >> So, AI, we've we've been on this AI journey for a few years now in Pike, and I have to say there are parts of my job that I love, there are parts of my job that I don't love, as every job has, but I get really excited about this AI journey. It gives me a lot of energy. I love to do it. It's there are parts of it of AI that's happening in our world right now that are great, there are parts that are not so great, and we're living in
023this time where we get to figure it all out, and I love that. And so, we're going to talk a little bit about that today. Um we started this journey in 2024, a little bit before that, but we really started digging into the meat of AI in 2024, and we got AI ambassadors in in all of our schools. So, we have a a teacher, usually, in some cases, a principal, who helps mentor teachers on these AI initiatives within each school. Um in 24-25, we had a nationally recognized AI specialist, Matt Miller, educate our AI ambassadors and and talk about what this is what this is in the educational space right now, and we had a lot of um digging to do in that, and it was Matt Miller is phenomenal. Um in 25-26, we applied
024for and received a grant from the Department of Education that allowed us to purchase an AI tool for the school and I know that we we're going to learn a lot more about that in other parts of the presentation. And we have ongoing AI activities. This this world is here to stay and we're going to continue digging in. We're going to continue to work with our AI ambassadors and and do PD district-wide on these AI topics. So AI I know we've all heard a lot about it, but we really wanted to focus our efforts in with one of our grants this year on our writing, especially with our exceptional learners and alternative ed students. So that was one of our intents. We of course want to prepare our students for an AI world where they're
025AI literate. And we want to use these tools to be more efficient. That's AI can chug through that data faster than we ever could. But I'm sure you've also heard that AI has some safety elements to it. So we really wanted to make sure we were doing what was best for our students. The tools that we've adopted have safety components built into them. Magic School, which is our main AI tool, will filter some of the problematic things that come from AI. If you're using one of these tools that doesn't have that filter, it can have some responses that might be considered unsafe for our students. Our tools No tool is perfect, but our tools are built to help with that. Another concern with AI is data privacy. AI tools, that's how they become powerful as
026they mine your data. We don't want them mining our students' data. That's personal to our students. So the tools that we've adopted don't mine our students' data and and that that data stays within the district. I want to introduce Mrs. Cope to talk a little bit about our digital learning grant and how we got to this Magic School piece. Mrs. Cope. Perfect. Good evening. Um so, like Mr. Huck said, um we um received the digital learning grant from the Indiana Department of Education for 25-26. Our goal was to boost writing proficiency for special education and alternative education students. Um they can receive real-time feedback and scaffolding as they're working through um their writing with um Magic School in middle school and high school English classrooms. So, we're working directly with some of the middle school
027and um high school teachers um for this. Um we're um leveraging the grant to kind of bridge um the achievement gap. I do have some data on our Magic School usage um that is not on the slide. Um we use so far across the district, we were able to use the grant to receive to use Magic School across K-12, but we are focused in on secondary primarily. Um we have 645 teachers using Magic School to help with lesson planning and um various activities in the classroom, getting, you know, tasks done. Um 72% of those were using it for I have to put my glasses on. Instructional materials, um and 53% are using it for feedback. Those were the two top things they were kind of using it for to help them in the like with
028just their roles. Um our school usage, um we have Guion Creek Middle, Pike High School, New Augusta North, and Lincoln Middle School are all um using the writing feedback tool as the top tool, which is what our focus was for the grant at the secondary. So, we've showed them kind of how to use that tool to assist in um feedback. Then, for student usage, we've had 126,667 generations this year in Magic School. So, students are are getting in there. They're um using it with their teacher's permission um and being taught about AI um as well. We have 253 student rooms, so that's a room the teachers created with specific tools that have certain guidelines for the students to use. Um Magic School set up really safe where there are certain parameters that um the teachers
029put in. So, the students can't ask it write me a paper. That's not an option. So, um we have about 5,322 um students who have been in Magic School this year. So, that I just wanted to share a little bit of the data there. Um now, I'm going to turn it over to um Mrs. Patty Hammerly to um share a little bit about what she's doing with Magic School at her school. Hello, everybody. Um so, I am the CTE instructional coach at the high school. And as you know, our CTE teachers are kind of unique. They have expertise in their fields, but not necessarily as much experience teaching in the classroom. So, part of what I do is help them with everything from technology to AI to classroom management, whatever they need. Um so, I
030wanted to share just one story, and it just happened recently and really shows how powerful AI can be um especially for some of these new teachers. I have a new teacher. He started um the week before spring break, and he is brilliant in his field, but he showed me his lesson plan, and I he said, "I have to test them on this. I I know how to make a test. He said, "How do I do this?" And he had like deer in the headlights, like, "Oh my gosh." So, we went over the lesson plan. I said, "What do you want them to learn?" We talked about what makes a good assessment. And he's still looking at me like, "Oh my gosh. Like, how am I going to do this?" So, we sat down in front
031of MagicSchool and we pulled up the quiz tool and I said, "Tell it what your standard is, tell it what your objectives are, and tell it the kinds of questions you want to ask the students." And he did and in about 45 seconds, he had a quiz. Now, we went through it. We talked to He says, "I don't like this. I don't like that. I want to" But it instead of staring at a blank piece of paper, he had a tool. He had an assessment that was created instantaneously, stress-free. Um so, I'm seeing teachers and I'm helping teachers do that every single day. Um whether it's to save time, whether it's to be a brainstorming partner, um whatever it is to help them in the classroom. And I tell all my teachers that they will
032not be replaced by AI, but they will be replaced by teachers that don't use AI. So, that's where I leave it with them and I can tell you they're super excited to learn what it can do for them and I could stay here all night tell you all sorts of stories, but I don't have that much time. So, thank you. Greetings everyone. Good evening board President Hillary Young everyone uh cabinet members and community. Um I am privileged to be the alternative education teacher at Lincoln Middle School. Um and in that role, I work with teachers from 6th to 8th grade because a student can be placed in alternative education program any day. In fact, I got a new student this morning. Um I initial job is to curb their academics and curb their performance so
033that they behavioral performance so that they can re-enter back into our normal classes. And with that, I work with teachers from uh different levels of experiences, um particularly different ages. Um though AI is a great tool and a lot of people love it, and they swear by it, there are some people still afraid of it. Um, and in my interactions, I help my tea- uh teachers in our school anywhere from looking on Gemini on their phone, because now when they do searches, it's not the normal search. It automatically goes into Gemini, and the teachers kind of panic, "What is this? What is this?" And I kind of go back, sit down with them, and break it down. Um, as far as other tools, we use MagicSchool as well to help our teachers wherever they may
034need assistance, particularly if it's a new subject, or something they want a new area they want to go into their curriculum. Um, I assist them with that as [cough] well. Um, joining on this team has been a great experience. I love working with them every year, so I hope we keep uh we can continue [clears throat] to expand our AI tools, so that we can make our students in Pike Township a better place. Thank you. So, I'm Hannah Stickter Hinshaw. I am over at New Augusta North Public Academy. I am the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade resource teacher, ELA co-teacher. I'm a ghost in the building. Um, but what we've been fortunate to work on specifically with our exceptional learner students in sixth and eighth grade is actually using MagicSchool and the writing feedback tools
035to help curb the gap in the learning, and kind of bridge that processing. Um, we've seen great success this year, I'm happy to report, with students elevating their final writing scores across multiple different genres by 30 to 50 points. So, they're going from failing to getting a C on their paper, which is a great thing to see. Um, luckily, we know there are some drawbacks, even with MagicSchool. The kids might try to find a way to trick it into it, so we do still have them write on paper first, but it's helping smooth out those details, and the papers don't jump around as much. So, I just wanted to share that little bit of success. Thank you. >> I'm Nicole and family engagement liaison. No, navigation specialist. [laughter] I'm family student support. And so along
036with AI this past few years we last year we hosted our AI family night which was intro level to our community of different types of AI whether it was magic school and our picture here Osmo with the iPads and everyone just thinks it's a game but it does use AI a form of AI to create and use those games. So we hosted that in our family communications and Pike Proud throughout the year we've been posting little blurbs about AI. Did you know little bits like that just to keep our families aware of what's going on in magic school is being used in our schools especially in our secondary. Um I've also created on Pike Parent University a AI for resource page for our families so they can go out there they have all of our
037guidelines for student use. There are parent resources, there's FAQs, what can my students do, can they sign up for a chat GPT account? No they cannot if they're not 13 or above. Just some general FAQs for families outside of the school and inside the school. So we are continuing to spread that knowledge of AI with our families through parent university and our Pike Proud newsletters. Thanks Nicole. I'm sorry I got your title wrong. >> [laughter] >> So one of the things that's really important with pushing out this AI initiative is modeling it for our leaders across the district. And one thing that I do at our district leadership meetings is talk about how I've been using AI both personally and professionally and hearing from our district leaders about what they're doing and what they're seeing
038in their buildings and and we get to share how this is working in Pike and how this is working in our personal lives. I mean, AI is part of all kinds of things. I always like to share this example of I'm not an electrician, but I used AI to help me install smart switches in my house and I was struggling at one point and I just took a picture with my phone saying, "What did I do wrong cuz the light's not coming on?" And and it talked me through exactly what I wired incorrectly. Thankfully, I didn't burn down my house. Um for goals going forward, um a couple of board meetings ago, you approved a grant um for us to apply for a grant um for this digital learning. We haven't heard back about that
039grant yet, but we are intending to move forward with what we wrote in that grant. Um and we're going to focus next year on CTE with some of our AI initiatives and I'm sure Miss Hammerly will um be instrumental in some of that expansion. Um so we will soon, hopefully, hear back from the DOE about whether we're getting funded for that grant, but we're committed to this initiative regardless. Um we're going to continue with Magic School. Um it's a great tool. Um we have some other AI coming out. Canva, I'm sure some of you have used Canva for other things and it has some interesting AI capabilities as well. So, um we're looking to rolling out some tools through that Canva experience. We're going to integrate um Magic School into Canvas, our learning management system,
040and um continue to just make this happen. One thing I'm amazed by I've been in technology for a long time now. I started in the district as a technology integration specialist and we have never had a rollout of a voluntary tool like this that has been so successful. We have a lot of teachers who have latched on to this AI thing and and we're technology doesn't usually grow that fast. You usually you get a you plant a few seeds and you watch them grow and then it spreads to other teachers and and we're not seeing that with this tool. We're seeing it spread like wildfire. And with that, we will take any questions that you might have. First of all, let me say great job. Thank you. I got really >> This team deserves all
041the credit. Absolutely. >> I'm impressed with the the knowledge of this team. Uh yeah. There are people in our community that that are not computer savvy. Mhm. Mhm. Don't have computers nor laptops in their homes. Um what takes place on um family connection? Uh tell me the AI night. Family night. Do you want to talk about that, Mr. Faulkner? [clears throat] You were you were instrumental in that family night. So last spring we hosted family night. Um we had several of our ambassadors um out to showcase different pieces of AI. Um that was before we had Magic School officially. Um so we um had one ambassador kind of showcase what Magic School could do um should we um be awarded the grant and continue with that. Um we had um some we had a robotics
042team out there um cuz they have some AI components as well. Um so that night was really just kind of to get our community aware of AI in that we're starting to use it in our schools. Um just kind of get their toes wet on that. So um we're hoping that next year we can, you know, host another night or something alongside some of our other, um, school events so that we >> When is When is uh the uh uh When are you going to host that again? I'm not sure yet. Um, but that is on our books for next year. >> I'll have my church do, since a lot of people do not have computers, we will donate five um, desktops when you do your night again. >> Oh, awesome. >> Desktop uh go
043through your protocol system and and we'll give you five uh wha- whatever computer you pick uh for families. We'll give you five computers for that night. Awesome. Greatly appreciate that. >> So, that all will boost you to get the night going again. >> Yes, absolutely. >> [laughter] >> Uh use that to help get people out. Yes. >> [laughter] >> Any other questions? >> Yes. I I don't I don't have a question. I just have a comment and I think one of the teachers said that I forgot who said that. How did you put that? You said if the teachers you won't get rid of them for Teachers won't be replaced by AI. They'll be replaced by teachers who know AI. So, so, um, all of us have another world that we serve and we serve
044on and I I serve as a commissioner at the pleasure of the Supreme Supreme Court and uh we have been running into this AI issue where where where whole cases uh of those that that say that they are attorneys and and and they're and they're supposed to be trying a case and they bring a whole case before us AI. And and it's it's it's gotten some of them in some trouble. So, I I was hearing you say, um, that uh no a a key a student cannot say, "Hey, write me a paper." I'm glad to know that. >> Yes. because there are some some disadvantages and and people can get in trouble, but it's here to stay. And one of the things that attorneys are saying in our world is if you don't use it,
045you will get left behind. It's interesting you should say that. When we were evaluating these tools, one of the things that I put in the prompt is about free speech cases in Indiana and I many of you know that I'm also an attorney and I know a lot about free speech cases [laughter] in Indiana. I did not know that. And I kept seeing this case cited over and over again in what it was putting out. I'm like, I've never heard of this case. I don't know what this is talking about. I need to look this case case up and I put it into a reputable legal database and that case was not there. It was completely made up. So and and all AI tools will do this. That's why we need to train Absolutely. >>
046to be very skeptical of what comes out and they need to check what comes out of these tools. Yes. This guy lost a whole This family lost a whole case because of this guy using AI and he was not an attorney. an attorney. Mr. Speaker, if I may, Doctor, congratulations on your the doctor. And then and then tell tell could you if you could, please. If I could just have a moment, Madam Secretary. Tell me the the nuts and bolts of what you're doing. Yes. In my role as >> Yes. So the nuts and bolts of what I'm doing with AI and with our particular Lincoln Middle School is make sure that we engage people and to address another question that you asked how we helping families. A lot of people that came to my
047table doing that family night, they may have not had a computer, but they had the most up-to-date smartphone which you can literally watch television on. So, you know, like they said early childhood how childhood what do we do? We meet them where they are. So, I mean, whether they had iPhones, Androids, I was able to show them the different apps to get on their phone cuz they had if the other apps they were using, so I showed them how to get the Gemini app. And from that Gemini app I was showing them how literally how they can save money from going out here to these third-party tutoring programs that are charging $200, $300 a week to work with your child for 30 minutes. You can go on Gemini, it will give you a prompt and
048literally make extra practice problems um and assessments to help your child learn at home. So, if I can watch TV on my on my phone right now or go back and and watch the game that I could be missing, why can't we show our community how to use some of the devices that they have? Absolutely. Yeah. Okay, sir. Thank you so much. Another one and then I'm done, Madam Secretary. Ma'am, never come to this meeting again without shirts that says "Magic Teacher for the Board," okay? >> [laughter] >> Thank you. So, I want to first well, first thank you for the info you provided me when I come back and see you, Dr. Young, the um the data. Um I I love all of this. Some of us had a chance, we went to a
049uh a school board conference a couple of few weeks ago and uh you you you know what's happening by what where the sessions kind of ebbing and flowing and what's there. I could have went to AI stuff every session. I resisted, went to a couple of other things, but almost did. I dragged some of you guys in with me. Uh and uh yeah, and um so it it is absolutely here to stay. Um I tell a lot of folks I work for a company that is is a financial services company. We You talk about the rollouts. I've been involved with a lot of rollouts at our company. Same thing. I've never seen a technology rollout this fast. And and it is absolutely those who aren't using it are the ones that are going to be
050left behind. So, learning, teaching our students how to use it wisely, teaching them how to be crit- I think it's a great time to teach critical thinking. I've heard people say that they're afraid critical thinking is going to get lost with AI. I think it's become more important because you do have to question what is returned to you. And then so I really do [clears throat] appreciate that. Yes, sir. >> There are also some AI tools that are coming out with I wanted to speak to you about um there's a new one called Perplexity. I've used it. It is awesome. Yeah. >> by default it will eliminate un- opinionated things. >> Yeah. Things that are not research-based. Things that may not be um documented that it came from a school or a reputable entity, it
051will automatically Kick it. I got you. >> kick it out. So, that way when you do come up with some type of answer, it has some substance. Um another key issue I think people have is that it's automatically trusted 100%. >> Yeah. So, you look up this research and then you go up and present it to someone, you click the link. The person wants the information, they click that doing way link. It does not match >> Yeah. the topic. Yeah. So, with everything that's progressing, there's still some kinks in the middle that that needs to be addressed. 100% Yeah, but yeah, I think about so I I see Mr. Blue back there who works with our robotics. Um you know, for the for the kids going into technology, we are again at our company, that's
052AI is writing most of the code. Now, you have to have the human in the loop to check it, to to verify that it's working right. But yeah, so so love everything you guys are doing. I do have one question. I should have emailed you on Friday, but I apologize, didn't think about it till tonight. It it Magic School, does it do its own LLM? Does it leverage one of the big LLMs that are out there and just don't and just does not train it? Well, how does it work? >> Good question. So, the way Magic School works is it's using all of the major LLMs or large language models for >> auto-select which one for which purpose or Depending on the question, it will steer it towards Claude or Chat GPT or Gemini, and
053then it and it aggregates all of this data to decide which of those is the better platform to to output what it gets. >> It's just not using the data to train the models then. It is not. >> Okay, right. >> The gaps you talked about, could you come and talk about this quickly because that gap has bothered me for years. >> Yeah. Uh the the gap that that that exist in education, it has bothered me for years. There There are kids who who who literally should have gotten more help, and it sounds like the Magic Teacher is going to to give them the help or put them in a pathway to to to to to lift themselves up emotionally and educationally. Yeah. So, um speaking of the educational piece, I also use it in
054the resource room to kind of do our social emotional check-ins and our weekend check-ins because, as you know, our students have a lot of feelings, and we are only one human in a room. So, we kind of use it as an opportunity to let the students express themselves, and then in the event that the student deters or there's dangerous or maybe potentially harmful conversations being brought up, it flags it for us, too, so we know to address them more immediately with the student. But within that gap section, especially in that writing piece, um it it's been a night and day difference. I have eighth graders this year that I've been with all 3 years, and to see where they were at in sixth grade, when we had labs at the time, to go away from
055it and go into co-teaching, and kind of piece together what we're doing and where we need to bridge those gaps, it's really helped fill in because we can give it to them 24/7. So, we're able to, even when they're not in the room, when they have the idea, there is a way for them to record it, and there is a way for them to help process and smooth it out. So, it essentially acts for some of our really low students almost as a secondary filter in the brain where it's saying, "Hey, this is really good. Let's restructure this maybe. And hey, what about this detail that you're missing? Where's your evidence here?" So, we can train it explicitly to what the rubric's looking for, but also what text they're supposed to be using. So, we
056can customize it almost to their reading level even. Which gives them greater success because then we're not getting as many kids who are shutting down for lack of better terms because they're so frustrated and over overwhelmed, maybe not because understand the material, but it's just too much of a cognitive processing load for them. >> So, you have a new spirit for teaching now. Oh, I've always had it, but this has just made it way more fun. What one thing I I I am aware of is a student um not here in Indiana. They were having some emotional issues with with this AI following it along. And then they they they asked the AI a question and the AI fired back, "Go hang yourself." And that happened. Yeah. What are we doing to help that? Part
057of that is just the type of AI we let them use. Right. So, one thing about the Magic School tool that we're utilizing is it has those safety flags in it. So, if that were to happen, if it's if it student types something in that would make it respond in that way, the teacher's alerted. I actually also get copies of those alerts and um we can respond appropriately. Um I will say what scares me about some of this area is we know that while we have Magic School, our students have access to these AI platforms on their phone and that it's not filtered. Yeah, and uh we we really need to do a good job of teaching them how to respond to these platforms and to make sure that they have a safe person to
058talk to. As I think one of the things because even with new legislation that's been passed, kids won't be on the phone at school. I think we've got to really do a a a diligent job of informing our parents. Stories such as that are ones that we want wouldn't necessarily want to have to share the specific scary stories, but we do want to let them know that these types of apps are out there. They exist. They're using AI, but we're using a a a tool that protects them. Your children have tools that you know do not protect. That do not protect. And I and I think it's relevant to to when you have your AI night again to to have a session or a moment to where you can explain what this township is doing
059to protect their children while they're in school. But you have to take parental guidance now after the 4:00 hour to make sure your children don't get into and I think when you do your AI night I think that that ought to be something that it's it it the community yeah it should be something that people need to be very much aware of because we have the opportunity to protect our children while they're here. But when they go home I have all those apps on here. And so I see some things on here that I've asked that I didn't do. So I'm still alive. So all I'm saying in that context is that is something I think the superintendent just mentioned that I am going to push even in my church. We need to get our
060children to be very conscious of the fact that this system can also harm them as much as it can help them. Do you foresee a um a class being taught as a curriculum AI as you know the same way we have a computer class that they could do an AI class. And then in that class, you can help educate them on um the dos and don'ts of what you can and can't and to you know, to to to make them aware of, you know, the things that could harm them and the things that could help them. Absolutely. We have a digital citizenship thread K through 12 and those um digital citizenship ideas are integrated into that including AI usage. So, they could actually sign up for class as if they were they take psychology, I'm
061going to take an AI class. Is that is this an elective or is it So, as far as a credit class, it there is um a component in some of our other elective classes like college and careers, I know has a digital citizenship component to it at the high school level. Um and then we also have K-8 classes that that integrate those things in as well. >> summer tech camp? The summer tech camp, is there a piece a component that could be added in the summer tech camp? Absolutely. We are We are always looking for new camp ideas. So, we are happy to integrate those things there, too. Oh, absolutely. We also have We also have a student module on AI literacy. Before they can get on Magic School, it Miss Faulkner actually made it.
062They have to go through that. We don't let them get on it. It goes through safety, protecting your personal identifiable information. There is a series of I think it's five to 10 lessons that they have to complete and they can't use AI without being signed off on taking that. So, that is already a component of our Magic School usage, anybody using that. >> This young lady is also working with the the website. >> [laughter] >> I want to thank you publicly for the work you're doing with with with with with this and the website at the same time. Thank you so much. I do I do think it's important kind of piggybacking on what Dr. Moore said. I know I 100% agree some of the education things of that, you know, whenever you do have
063your next AI night cuz one of the things that became really apparent against in the sessions we were at that conference. There was one where folks showed that there's an AI that you can take a a picture. Just a still image, run it through it and it'll and you can tell it the text you want it to say and it'll create up to an 8-second, I think it was, video. It looks like the people's mouths are moving. If you don't know what their voice is and I immediately thought I somebody could take a picture of anybody sitting up here and make you say something you did not say. You you you really can't believe anything you see until it's verified and we live in a world where a lot of people are believing a lot
064of things that people put out there that is not factual. Um and so yeah, that that education piece is it it was really critical. So that Madam Chair I want to say to the Madam Chair, as as someone said, we can talk about this all night. Let's let's wrap up after Mr. Chair. Yeah, I I just want to all follow up with what Mr. Hooper was saying. These tools can be used for good or evil. Um we actually used a tool like that here in the district for good. >> to it, yeah. So [laughter] when Mr. Wally started, he had a he made a welcome video and he wanted to that to be put out in multiple languages and it translated everything he said into Spanish and it looked like his mouth was saying the
065Spanish words and he and it used his voice to say the Spanish words in those translations. It looked as if Mr. Wally was very fluent in Spanish and we put that video out there. So yes, it can be good used for evil, but that same tool could be used for good and and that's why we need to educate and talk about that morality as part of this, too. Thank you, all. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. President. >> [applause] >> All right, we're moving on to our action items. Action item A, minutes of the Board of Education regular meeting, March 26, 2026. >> So moved to secretary. Second. >> Second. It's been moved and second. Uh call for a vote. All in favor say I. I. I. All opposed? And my I is there, too. All
066right, action item B. It moved and second. All right, action item B, Human Resources report, Dr. Hunter. Madam Secretary, Mr. President, members of the board, Dr. Young, I ask you request your approval of the HR report as presented. I move that we accept the HR report as presented. Second. Due to the confidential nature of the HR report, we will have no public discussion on that. I call for a vote. All in favor say I. I. I. All opposed? Thank you, Dr. Hunter. Thank you. Action item C, approval of four supplemental curriculum for AP Statistics, Mr. Inman. Uh Good evening, Madam Secretary, members of the board, Dr. Young. I'm seeking approval approval for action item C, um approval of supplemental curriculum for Advanced Placement Statistics at Pike High School as presented. I'll make a motion that
067we approve the approval for supplemental curriculum for AP Statistics. Second. Are there any questions or any discussion? I call for the vote. All in favor say I. I. >> [clears throat] >> I. And all those opposed? Thank you, Mr. Inman. Thank you. Action item D and E, contracts and donations, uh Ms. Gray. Good evening, Madam Secretary, Mr. President, members of the board, and Dr. Young. I request your your approval of action item D and E, which tonight includes one donation. I make a motion that we approve the action items E and D including our donations that have been presented. Second. Are there any questions? All right, I call for the vote. All in favor, say I. I. All those opposed? Thank you. >> Ms. Gray. All right, we're going to finish up with board member
068items. Dr. Moore. Nothing at this time, Madam Secretary. Thank you. Ms. Wilson. Um just glad to be back. Just got off the off the plane from Disney with my family. Had a great time. And then left there and went to be a judge for the Precise Steps had their um hosted their annuals uh talent show and I was one of the judges and it was absolutely phenomenal. And just to see the Pike students in a different light, you know, to stand on the stage and pour their voices out, their dancing, um the little steppers. Uh it was a good experience for me and I truly enjoyed it and and also to say um that hopefully as we journey through the things that are affecting us, that we say a prayer for our um soldiers in
069the military that are losing their lives or risking their lives for our lives. So. That's it. Thank you, Mr. Hopper. All right, I want to welcome everybody back from spring break. I hope they had everyone had a uh and restful, relaxing time. Um more relaxing than Ms. Wilson had at Disney World, probably. So, I hope [laughter] uh but welcome back, ready for the the final push. Wanted to thank Dr. Webster and other board members letting me participate in the um the above and beyond. Um those are always fabulous. When one of the people happen to be somebody who is a extremely close family friend, uh that [clears throat] that was very special. So, appreciate that. And then I did want to recognize he has stepped out now after everybody else did, but um Mr. Blue,
070I had a chance to go up and see the robotics team compete uh in Laf- in Lafayette uh couple of weeks ago as beginning of spring break. Uh I did not make it all day. That is a long day up there with them, but it was so much fun. The things that those students do, getting the robots. I watched a robot block somebody, bump somebody over bump them over the the uh hurdle. I mean, just all kinds of things. It was It was so awesome. And and I know he's been doing that as a volunteer uh for several years now. And I also know his son is a senior, so I'm not sure what the next next plan is, but uh just while we're just talking about it, I really wanted to thank him, cuz
071he's put a He and the other volunteers have put a ton of work in, and it is an amazing program. Ms. Kelly. Uh good evening. As always, very glad to be here. Hope everyone did enjoy their spring break. We're down to this last stretch. We want to finish strong. Um excited to hear about the amount of money raised at Treasures this year and the $80,000 in scholarships that our students are going to be awarded. And then please, please, please, if you have not applied for your classroom grant, there is still some fun- There are still some funds available. Please, all the money that is raised, they would love to give it to our uh students and staff. Um congratulations to those that have on their signing season with our uh student athletes. And then those
072that are receiving awards and recognition across the city and the state. And it's just a lot of information we took in tonight. And the above and beyond recipients. Every time those stories get more and more fascinating and you learn about the great folks we have in Pike who make up our community. [clears throat] And [snorts] then I want to put one more plug out there. May the 5th, I believe, is election day. Is it May 5th? Mhm. Please, please, please hit the polls on May the 5th. Um it's how we get our voice out, how we speak for our students, how we speak for our community when we vote. So I'm not telling you who to vote for, but vote. And let your voice be heard. Thank you. Talk to y'all. No comments this evening.
073Thank you. I'll go ahead and give my comments and then defer the final comments to Dr. Webster. Thank you. >> Um I first want to say I was able to represent our board at Arbor Day for the planning of the tree here, one of 15 trees that were planted here in our district. So that was a wonderful event. And I want to assure our citizens and our staff too that your board members have been trained in AI and we continue to train in AI. Um we learned when we went to conference that really students who have training in AI have an advantage over those who don't. >> Mhm. So, really it's not about fear and it's encouraging to see that we are up front and we are ahead when it comes to how we're dealing
074with AI, how we approached it, and also how we are teaching our students how to live in a world with AI, to leverage that tool. So, I just wanted to make sure that I stated that that we're very intentional about our training about AI as well. Um thank you so much. Thank you, Ms. Ms. Barnes. Ms. Barnes did an amazing job of presiding tonight, so we certainly are grateful for her leadership. Mr. Anderson is at work tonight and could not be with us. I want to read a statement tonight in closing to our chamber and to those who are listening in in our community. I think a statement needs to be made. I want to read I prayed, hoped that you would um uh give uh give way to it. Um first of all, I
075want to just thank the board and we're humble as a board uh to serve our district. So, we don't ever want anyone to get that get that mixed up. We are humbled tonight to serve the district. And on the behalf of the entire board, it's never our intention to grandstand in in any board meeting. >> Amen. It's never our intention. Our number one goal is always to unify and govern this district with the highest integrity. That's our number one goal. We We We count it all a signal honor to be elected by our community and our district to serve. I'll I'll say it again, we count it a signal honor to be elected by our district to serve. And we will continue to govern this uh district with the highest integrity, understanding our fiduciary responsibility
076to the state, to our administration, to the students, to the families, and to our community. So, with that, thank you all, and thank the entire district. Thank the community. Thank the state for entrusting us to serve this district. It's my privilege and my pleasure to continue to serve with each board member, and serve with them with integrity, and carry out our elective responsibilities. With that, meaning this year. Amen. Oh. We need a motion. Motion. So moved, Mr. President. Second. Mr.