Artificial Intelligence Usage In Centennial Schools Recognized

WARMINSTER, PA —The reconstituted Centennial School Board held its first meeting Tuesday under new leadership with new School Board President Mary Alice Brancato at the helm and artificial intelligence among the topics.

"It's nice to see so many people here tonight. I look forward to seeing what you all have to say," Brancato said in her opening remarks before introducing student presentations by Olivia Heinrichs from William Tennent High School and Xdrian Isaac from the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology.

McDonald Elementary School Principal Diana Garaitonandia said the school, which has a food pantry, has teamed with the Warminster Food Bank to provide donations for needy families. She said a check from Pfeiffer families was given for more than $2,000 to make food purchases.

Chief Financial Officer Thomas Greenwood presented an opt-out resolution to not raise taxes by the Act 1 index by more than 5.3 percent for the 2024-2025 school budget.

School Board Director Jane Lynch expressed that the percentage is not what the district will do. She said the school district has increased taxes over the past few years by under 3 percent.

Greenwood said budget work sessions would be scheduled for Jan. 25, Feb. 29, and March 14.

Lynch made a point of saying that Feb. 29 is "Leap Year" and that she'd like to meet on that date because it's "unique."

Brancato asked to go with the first two budget session dates but the third date might have to change.

Schools Superintendent Dana Bedden said the district's work was being recognized by the state, adding that the state commented on district's teacher leadership model following a presentation at a recent conference.

"No one is doing this the way you are," a state education representative told Anthony Gabriele, assistant superintendent for teaching and learning. "This is unbelievable. This is what we're hoping to do across the state. It truly is a model."

Bedden, who is serving on a national group as an ambassador, also mentioned in his superintendent's report about how the district is using artificial intelligence in schools and that there was a comment that "no one is where we are" with using AI in schools.

He said there will be a joint meeting in February that will highlight the results from a survey of parents and students and a presentation to parents about how artificial intelligence plays about in schools.

"We are getting a lot of positive feedback recently from our teachers about how they are getting a better understanding of how to use it in an academically appropriate way but also to support our students' learning process," Bedden said.