Concerns about artificial intelligence led to the School Committee postponing a contract extension for math tutoring software at Tuesday’s meeting.
Edia Learning, an AI platform used by more than 280 districts across the country, offers an “all-in-one math supplement” used for the past two years by Cambridge Rindge and Latin School teachers in algebra 1 and 2 and geometry classes.
Some members hesitated, wondering how the software aligned with district artificial intelligence restrictions that are being looked at for revision. “We know the harms that interfacing with AI chatbots can have on adolescents, and I think we need to be extremely careful that we’re communicating with families, being extremely judicious and also not experimenting on our students,” vice chair Caitlin Dube said.
Superintendent David Murphy made it clear that it is not compulsory for students to use the tool, which is not vital to the class or using the most worrisome aspects of the technology. But he said if families have not been told of its use, that will be rectified. “I would be hesitant to disrupt the practices that are underway,” said the superintendent, adding that he is “tentatively comfortable with it.”
Member Elizabeth Hudson called out the committee for using the technology “as a platform to raise a much bigger political issue.”
“That’s frankly not our job. It’s our job to approve the contract,” Hudson said. “I would happily support giving teachers everything they need. If we’re going to set high bars, we have to give them everything they’re asking for.”
The motion to postpone the vote was raised by member Arjun Jaikumar to take time to look at the data and hear from educators about the software’s usefulness and potential harms.
The district has released Generative AI Guidance for educators to encourage ethical and safe use. For students in pre-K through fifth grade, the technology is “generally prohibited.” In grades 6-8, it is “significantly restricted,” and in high school, “specific, district-approved AI applications” are permitted.
Rindge School of Technical Arts
A motion for a “long overdue” comprehensive review of the Rindge School of Technical Arts was made by member Richard Harding. He wanted the review to “really take a step back and look” at how to support families and students at RSTA, “with a clear focus on what is the end game for students and what it looks like to prepare them for what I’ll call the real world.”
The vocational-technical school within the high school offers 11 programs for students: automotive technology, biotechnology, carpentry, computer science, creative design, culinary arts and hospitality, early education and care, engineering, health assisting, information technology and media technology. In the 2025-2026 school year, 606 students were enrolled.
In public comment, parent Denise Haynes talked about the program’s importance, saying “it would be a disservice if the review did not include the voice of the instructor’s students, whether they’re current or past, and maybe even their parents. Without such input, the end result or output will likely be a document that is full of fluff, with unclear goals and objectives that don’t address the needs of the students and how they can be successful during and beyond RSTA.”
Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui suggested an amendment to the motion to include previous reviews of the program, including one in 2022. The motion passed with a report back to the committee due no later than March 31.
