The University of Texas at Austin · College of Education
UT Elementary UT Charter UT High School
The University of Texas at Austin
UT Public Schools AI Council
Member Hub · Established 2026

Shaping how AI is used across UT Public Schools, with learning at the center.

A standing council of leaders from UT Elementary School, UT University Charter School, and UT High School, building shared AI guidance for staff and students while honoring the needs of each district.

Next meeting details Read the guidebook drafts Council chat in Teams
AI COUNCIL UT High School Grades 9–12 · Online UT Elementary Pre-K–5 UT Charter K–12 · Statewide
OCT 28 Wednesday · 2026
Next meeting On hold

Initial Council Meeting

10:30–11:30 AM Central
UT Administration Building, Hole in the Wall room (basement)
Convened by James Garza
View full agenda Add to calendar
§ 01

Meeting 1 agenda

Full agenda ›

The only materials are the two guides, with every comment left visible so you can see the process.

  1. 01 Purpose of the Council Welcome, introductions, and what we're here to build.
  2. 02 Walk through the guides Both drafts as living documents, comments and all.
  3. 03 Timeline and key dates Nov 2 decision, Student Guide by meeting 2, then the Staff Guide.
  4. 04 Set the next meeting Date, time, and cadence. Plus an optional look at pins.
§ 02

Council roadmap

OCT 13, 2026 Council proposed James Garza and Sara Dawson propose a UT Public Schools AI Council.
OCT 16, 2026 Members invited Invitations go out to representatives from all three districts.
OCT 28, 2026 · NEXT Initial meeting Goals, approach, guidebook structure, and priorities.
NOV 2, 2026 Principal and admin decision Then the Student Guide by meeting 2 and the Staff Guide over the following meetings.
EVERY YEAR Annual review Review both guidebooks and recommend updates at least once a year.
§ 03

The two guidebooks

Working Draft v0.1

Staff Guidebook

Expectations, best practices, ethics, and practical guidance for AI in instruction, administration, and daily operations.

  • Student data privacy and FERPA
  • Choosing and vetting AI tools
  • Keeping humans in the loop
  • Checking AI output for bias and accuracy
Open the Staff Guide draft ›
Working Draft v0.1

Student Guidebook

Age-appropriate expectations for responsible AI use, academic integrity, digital citizenship, and AI in learning.

  • When you can and can't use AI
  • Understanding generative AI
  • Disclosing your AI use
  • Privacy and data safety
Open the Student Guide draft ›
Draft position statement Staff Guide §2.8 · For leadership review
AI FORWARD AI RESPONSIBLE
Read UT's full AI stance ›
Consistent with The University of Texas at Austin's commitment to be both AI Forward and AI Responsible, we adopt AI only in ways that advance learning and human development, protect the privacy and safety of students and staff, uphold academic integrity, and keep people in charge of decisions.
§ 04

Our standing charge

Annual guidebook review

Meet at least once a year to review both guidebooks and keep guidance relevant, practical, and current.

Collaboration and knowledge sharing

Share emerging AI trends, opportunities, challenges, and strategies that work across districts.

AI misuse recommendations

Recommend approaches to inappropriate AI use by staff or students. Final decisions stay with each district's administration.

§ 05

Three districts, Pre-K through 12

UT Public Schools brings together the three public school districts within the College of Education. Council guidance has to work across every grade band below.

PK K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 UT Elementary School Pre-K–5 · East Austin UT University Charter School K–12 · Partner campuses statewide, plus online UT High School 9–12 · Online
FOUNDED 2003 UT Elementary School A research-based demonstration school in East Austin. utelementary.org › FOUNDED 1999 UT University Charter School Campuses in partner settings like treatment centers and hospitals, plus an online program. utcharter.org › FOUNDED 1999 UT High School An accredited public online high school district: diplomas, courses, and credit by exam. highschool.utexas.edu ›
§ 06

Council members

UT PUBLIC SCHOOLS · UT ELEMENTARY · UT CHARTER
NW
Dr. Nicole Whetstone
Superintendent, UT Public Schools
RM
Ryan May
Assistant Principal, UT Elementary School
LM
Lori Moore
Director of IT, UT Charter School
VR
Dr. Veronica Ruiz Winner
Executive Principal, UT Charter Online Program
UT HIGH SCHOOL
JG
James Garza
Convener · Technology Director
SD
Sara Dawson
AI Coordinator
KH
Kristina Huff
Director of Curriculum and Instruction Operations
MF
Melissa Freeman
Director of District Programs
SH
Samantha Hardwick
Information Systems Specialist
JJ
Julie Joesel
Director of Student Services
Questions for the Council? Contact James Garza, Council convener. james.garza@austin.utexas.edu