Artificial Intelligence is changing the way schools operate – from how students learn to how administrators manage day-to-day responsibilities. Already, AI tools are helping automate repetitive tasks, enable more personalized instruction, and streamline district operations.

But for AI to be effective – and safe – schools need more than just access to new tools. They need a plan. Without a well-structured strategy, districts risk adopting tools that don’t align with their goals, don’t protect student data, or don’t deliver value.

Why an AI Strategy Can’t Wait

The federal government has taken a strong stance on the responsible use of AI in education. Recent executive orders call for greater transparency, privacy safeguards, and ethical implementation. Federal and state-level funding, including Title IV and innovation grants, are now being made available to help districts begin or expand their AI adoption.

But to qualify for these funds – and to ensure long-term success – districts need a documented strategy. Districts with clear plans are better positioned to:

• Avoid rushed or misaligned tech purchases
• Choose vendors that meet student data privacy requirements
• Build internal buy-in from teachers and staff
• Demonstrate measurable outcomes for student learning

In a recent Follett Software webinar, Eric Lawson, Director of Technology and Innovation for York School Department, shared how his team approached AI planning. They developed a policy grounded in student safety, ethical use, and clear guardrails – focusing on AI as a tool to support instruction, not replace it.

“We didn’t want to jump in without guidelines, and we didn’t want to lock everything down either. The key was being intentional, not reactive.”

What can go wrong without a strategy?

Adopting AI without a roadmap can result in real consequences:

• Data privacy violations due to tools that don’t meet FERPA, COPPA, or state standards
• Staff confusion or resistance when expectations aren’t clear
• Lack of measurable impact because outcomes weren’t defined
• Wasted funding on tools that don’t integrate or scale

An AI strategy helps avoid these pitfalls by putting systems in place to evaluate tools, define ethical boundaries, and focus efforts where they’ll have the most impact.

What should be in your strategy?

A district AI strategy should cover these core elements:

Ethical Use Guidelines

• Clarify how AI should support – not replace – instruction
• Avoid AI in high-stakes decisions like grading or discipline
• Ensure tools do not introduce bias or inequity

Data Privacy and Compliance

• Work only with vendors that sign data privacy agreements
• Maintain transparency with families and staff
• Define how student data is used – and how it isn’t

Professional Development

• Provide ongoing training for teachers
• Focus on how to integrate AI into real instructional practices
• Help staff evaluate AI outputs for quality and bias

Instructional Alignment

• Choose tools that support your curriculum and student goals
• Prioritize transparency (no “black box” models)
• Build systems to monitor impact over time

AI has the potential to reduce the burden of rote administrative work, helping educators spend more time on teaching, planning, and student engagement. But that shift only happens when AI use is clear, consistent, and tied to goals.

Final word: lead with intent. 

Districts that lead with purpose – not panic – will be better positioned to unlock the full value of AI.

Lawson shared how his team approached this challenge:

“We didn’t want to be on one side of the fence where it was a knee-jerk reaction, no AI at all… but we also didn’t want an open floodgate. We wanted to slow play it with purpose.”

Building a strategy means more than adopting tools – it means connecting those tools to real outcomes.  If the impact of AI isn’t tied to goals like instructional time, equitable access, or staff capacity, then it’s just another tool – not a strategy.
Learn more about Follett Software’s AI offerings here.