Finding Balance with Technology and AI in South Portland Schools
I received my very first email message 33 years ago. The message was from a new friend—who eventually became my husband and life partner. These days, our messages are on WhatsApp, where we try to figure out who’s home for dinner and who’s cooking.
Since that first email, we have all experienced incredible growth in technology across our personal, professional, and family lives. At times, these tools feel like amazing advancements; at other times, they can feel like a distraction from genuine human connection and community. As a parent and educator, I constantly strive for balance—using technology where it enhances our lives and setting boundaries where it becomes counterproductive.
The rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the latest wave of technology we are navigating together. While AI presents new challenges, educators across Maine and here in South Portland are approaching it intentionally, prioritizing student safety, data privacy, and meaningful learning.
What You Should Know
Board Discussions: You may have heard that our Board of Education recently discussed the idea of a temporary moratorium on AI use while formal policies are created. The Board chose not to take action, but thoughtful conversations around technology use remain ongoing.
Google Gemini Access: While Google made its AI tool, Gemini, broadly accessible to standard school accounts over the summer, South Portland has kept Gemini disabled for student accounts. At this stage, Gemini is only available to a select group of staff members who have participated in training. (We recognize that students and staff do have access to some Google AI capability through the search tool and, of course, through resources available at home.)
Data Privacy Comes First: For broad staff and student use, the district only supports AI tools that operate within closed, secure environments—meaning they do not sell, share, or train on staff or student data. Approved tools currently accessible to students and staff include MagicSchool AI and Canva.
Next Steps: Our district AI Advisory Committee is drafting comprehensive guidelines, policy recommendations, and professional learning modules. These will be presented to the Board of Education in January.
Technology will continue to evolve, but our commitment to protecting student learning, privacy, and wellbeing remains unchanged. We will keep you updated through this newsletter as our work progresses.
As always, if you ever have questions about how technology or AI is being used in your child’s classroom, their teacher or principal is a good place to start.
Warm regards,
Angela Atkinson Duina, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
South Portland School Department