Next Steps
This appendix outlines the recommended action items from the November 10 meeting, providing a detailed roadmap from initial buy-in through full program launch in August 2026.
Immediate Action Items (November-December 2024)
1. Secure Conceptual Buy-In
- Primary owners: Tracey, Charles, Keith
- Review and validate the unified approach addressing all three challenges (AI literacy, gender gap, workforce development)
- Confirm commitment to the hybrid Architecture 2+3 recommendation
- Identify any concerns or modifications needed before board presentation
- Establish regular meeting cadence for project steering
Target completion: November 2024
2. Identify Board Champion
- Identify board member(s) willing to advocate for budget allocation
- Brief champion on project scope, benefits, and potential concerns
- Prepare champion with talking points for board discussions
- Coordinate champion's role in community engagement
- Plan champion's participation in employer conversations
Target completion: November 2024
3. Finalize Skafld/SA Scope of Work
- Define specific deliverables for each implementation tier
- Establish partnership terms and contractual framework
- Detail technical scope of work (8-page document package)
- Specify curriculum framework deliverables (12-page document)
- Outline measurement and evaluation plan (5-page document)
- Confirm timeline and milestone schedule
- Establish communication and reporting protocols
Target completion: December 2024
Deliverables to finalize:
| Document | Purpose | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Scope of Work | Tier 1-3 implementation details | Skafld |
| Curriculum Framework | K-12 learning objectives, studio templates | Skafld/SA |
| Measurement Plan | Baseline, interim, and outcome metrics | SA |
| Budget Justification | Cost breakdown and ROI calculation | District/SA |
4. Begin Teacher Champion Recruitment
- Issue call for early adopter teachers (target: 20 for Cohort 1)
- Develop selection criteria for AI Champions
- Create application and interest survey
- Hold informational sessions for interested teachers
- Identify teachers with existing AI curiosity or experience
- Ensure diverse representation (grade levels, subjects, demographics)
- Communicate compensation and professional development credit
Target completion: December 2024-January 2025
Champion selection criteria:
- Demonstrated curiosity about AI tools
- Willingness to invest 40 hours in intensive training
- Ability to mentor peers (train-the-trainer model)
- Representation across grade levels and subject areas
- Mix of experience levels and teaching styles
5. Schedule Employer Conversations
- Identify target employers in aerospace, tech, and entertainment sectors
- Develop employer engagement pitch and benefits narrative
- Schedule initial conversations with 15-20 potential partners
- Gather input on portfolio requirements and valued skills
- Explore micro-internship and project opportunities
- Discuss credential validation and recognition
- Document employer commitments and interests
Target completion: December 2024-January 2025
Target employer sectors:
| Sector | Example Companies | Engagement Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Aerospace | Northrop Grumman, Boeing, SpaceX | Technical skills, portfolio review |
| Technology | Local tech companies, startups | Project-based learning, internships |
| Entertainment | Studios, production companies | Creative AI applications, storytelling |
| Professional Services | Consulting firms, agencies | Business applications, communication |
6. Draft Board Presentation
- Develop Executive Summary document (2 pages)
- Create Community Impact Report (4 pages)
- Prepare Implementation Roadmap (6 pages)
- Complete Budget Justification (3 pages)
- Design presentation slides for board meeting
- Rehearse presentation with key stakeholders
- Prepare Q&A responses for anticipated concerns
Target completion: December 2024
Board presentation package contents:
| Section | Content | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Executive Summary | Problem statement, solution, budget request, expected outcomes, vote recommendation | 2 pages |
| Community Impact | Student benefits, workforce alignment, equity impact, employer testimonials | 4 pages |
| Implementation Roadmap | Year 1 milestones, resource requirements, risk mitigation, success metrics | 6 pages |
| Budget Justification | Cost breakdown, ROI calculation, grant strategy, comparable investments | 3 pages |
7. Explore Grant Opportunities
- Research NSF education innovation grants
- Identify Department of Education funding opportunities
- Survey private foundation grants (tech education, workforce development, gender equity)
- Prepare Innovation Narrative document (4 pages)
- Develop Equity Impact Statement (3 pages)
- Create Evaluation and Research Plan for funders (6 pages)
- Identify grant application deadlines and requirements
- Assign grant writing responsibilities
Target completion: Ongoing, first applications by February 2025
Priority grant categories:
| Category | Focus Area | Potential Sources |
|---|---|---|
| STEM Innovation | K-12 technology integration | NSF, corporate foundations |
| Workforce Development | Career readiness, employer partnerships | Department of Labor, workforce boards |
| Gender Equity | Women in STEM, closing opportunity gaps | Women's foundations, tech companies |
| Education Research | Innovative models, evaluation | Department of Education, universities |
8. Plan Community Engagement
- Design parent information session format and content
- Develop district website content for AI Initiative
- Create communications materials (FAQ, fact sheets)
- Plan social media and newsletter announcements
- Identify parent advisory committee candidates
- Address anticipated parent concerns proactively
- Develop student success story collection process
- Coordinate with local media for positive coverage
Target completion: January 2025
Parent communication priorities:
| Concern | Messaging Approach |
|---|---|
| AI replacing learning | AI augments learning, builds critical skills |
| Cheating and academic integrity | Ethics curriculum central; skills over shortcuts |
| Privacy and data safety | Strong privacy protections; FERPA compliance |
| Screen time | AI literacy includes responsible use |
| Job displacement fears | Preparing students for AI economy, not against it |
Timeline to Launch
Phase 1: Approval and Contracting (January-February 2025)
| Week | Milestone |
|---|---|
| January Week 1-2 | Board presentation and vote |
| January Week 3 | Board approval secured |
| January Week 4 | Contracts finalized with Skafld/SA |
| February Week 1-2 | Administrator strategic workshops (Skafld-led) |
Key deliverables:
- Board approval of $350K Year 1 budget
- Executed partnership agreements
- Administrator training completed
- Project governance structure established
Phase 2: Teacher Training (February-April 2025)
| Week | Milestone |
|---|---|
| February Week 3-4 | Teacher Champion Cohort 1 recruitment finalized |
| March | Cohort 1 intensive training (40 hours) |
| April Week 1-4 | Cohort 1 builds AI-augmented lesson plans in sandbox |
| April | Cohort 1 peer showcase and feedback |
Key deliverables:
- 20 Teacher Champions certified
- AI-augmented lesson plans developed
- Sandbox testing completed
- Cohort 2 recruitment initiated
Phase 3: Student Pilot (April-May 2025)
| Week | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Late April | Student AI Studio Teams pilot launch (50 students) |
| May | First student studio sessions |
| May | Initial portfolio development begins |
| May | Parent education sessions conducted |
Key deliverables:
- 50 students enrolled in pilot studio teams
- Studio team structure validated
- Parent communication channels established
- Initial student feedback collected
Phase 4: Summer Preparation (June-July 2025)
| Activity | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Cohort 2 training | Expand teacher capacity (50 additional teachers) |
| Curriculum refinement | Incorporate pilot learnings |
| Employer partnership development | Finalize portfolio requirements |
| Infrastructure scaling | Prepare for August expansion |
| Grant applications | Secure additional funding |
Key deliverables:
- 50 additional teachers trained (Cohort 2)
- Curriculum refined based on pilot
- 10+ employer partners confirmed
- Systems ready for scale
Phase 5: Full Launch (August 2026)
Full launch components:
- All-faculty AI literacy requirement begins
- Student studio teams expand to 100+ students
- Girls-only studio teams launched
- K-12 AI literacy curriculum implemented
- Employer partnership program operational
- Community engagement ongoing
- Measurement and evaluation active
Visual Timeline
2024
Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug
|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|
| | | | | | | | |
Buy-in Scope Board Admin Cohort1 Student Summer Summer FULL
Finalize Approval Train Train Pilot Prep Prep LAUNCH
Employer Launch
Outreach
Roles and Responsibilities
| Role | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Superintendent/District Leadership | Strategic direction, board relationships, budget authority |
| Board Champion | Advocacy, community voice, governance support |
| Project Lead (District) | Day-to-day coordination, stakeholder management |
| Skafld/SA Partnership | Training delivery, curriculum development, technical implementation |
| Teacher Champions | Peer training, classroom implementation, feedback loops |
| Employer Partners | Portfolio review, internship hosting, credential validation |
| Parent Advisory | Community input, concern resolution, advocacy |
Success Criteria for Next Steps Phase
Before proceeding to board approval, confirm:
- Conceptual buy-in secured from Tracey, Charles, Keith
- Board champion identified and briefed
- Scope of work agreed with Skafld/SA
- At least 10 teachers expressing interest in Champion program
- At least 5 employer conversations completed with positive reception
- Board presentation materials drafted and reviewed
- Grant opportunities catalogued with submission timeline
- Community engagement plan approved
Risk Monitoring During Next Steps
| Risk | Early Warning Signs | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Board resistance | Negative feedback from board members | Increase stakeholder briefings; address concerns |
| Teacher apathy | Low response to Champion call | Improve incentives; personal outreach |
| Employer disinterest | Declined meetings; low engagement | Refine value proposition; target different sectors |
| Community concerns | Negative social media; parent complaints | Proactive communication; parent advisory |
| Budget pressure | Competing priorities; fiscal constraints | Grant applications; phased approach |