OpenAI announces LCSD1 new use of ChatGPT Edu, expanding AI access for district staff

CHEYENNE — Laramie County School District 1 is expanding access to artificial intelligence tools for employees as the district works to help staff members use AI responsibly while keeping a focus on teacher oversight and student privacy.

LCSD1 has implemented use of ChatGPT Edu services for staff and is participating in an OpenAI K-12 rollout cohort. OpenAI is assisting participating districts with implementation and gathering feedback, though LCSD1 Executive Director of Technology Kyle McKinney said via email that the arrangement should not be characterized as a formal partnership.

According to OpenAI representatives, who hosted a press briefing regarding the partnership Tuesday, 103 school districts across the country are involved, 55 of which — including Laramie County — are new.

The district already has a small number of ChatGPT Edu licenses for staff, and access will expand as additional employee accounts are supplied.

LCSD1 plans to use a train-the-trainer model for the rollout, McKinney said. Technology Integration staff, other district employees and pilot teachers will receive focused support before helping build AI-use capacity for colleagues.

School staff members could use ChatGPT for tasks like brainstorming lessons, creating practice materials, drafting communications, developing rubrics and examples, differentiating resources and assisting with administrative workflows.