Board Governance and Digital Meetings: Enhancing Transparency, Improving Governance, and Increasing Efficiency

Presenters: Sparq Data Solutions Client Service Managers Nicole Kobus & Darion Miller

Thursday, 10:30 to 11:20 a.m. in Room 2

Join us to explore how Quorum Meetings through the Associated School Boards of South Dakota can help school districts improve board governance. In this session, we’ll dive into how digital, paperless meetings can boost transparency, streamline operations, and make decision-making more efficient. Whether you’re a superintendent, board member, or administrative staff, you’ll gain practical insights and tools to lead with clarity and confidence in today’s digital-first world of school governance.

When AI Becomes a Student’s Therapist: The Chatbot Crisis Schools Can’t Ignore

Presenter: Compass Learning Specialist Andrew Ley

Thursday, 3:00 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. in Rooms 6-7

Students are increasingly turning to AI chatbots for mental health support—often before seeking help from counselors or teachers. These AI companions are always available, never judge, and to some, feel “safer” than real conversations. But what happens when AI replaces human connection? How accurate or harmful are these responses? This session explores the hidden risks, ethical dilemmas and what schools must do before chatbots become the default counselors of the next generation.

Unveiling the OSEU GPT Lesson Builder: A Revolutionary Tool for Culturally Responsive Teaching in South Dakota

Presenters: Compass Learning Specialists Dr. Scott Simpson & Sharla Steever

Thursday, 3:00 to 3:50 p.m. in Room 2

Discover how the new OSEU GPT Lesson Builder empowers South Dakota educators to connect any grade level or content area with the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings (OSEU) and Wolakota Project Elder interviews and transcripts. This session will demonstrate how to use AI to create culturally responsive lesson plans and resources that honor and integrate Indigenous knowledge.

Combating SPED Teacher Burnout with AI

Presenters: Compass Learning Specialist Andrew Ley & Kylie Steever

Thursday, 4:00 to 4:50 p.m. in Rooms 6-7

Discover how AI can streamline special education paperwork and enable educators to focus more on students. Learn best practices for human-centered AI implementation that empowers your team, protects against burnout, and keeps educators at the heart of the process while maintaining special education compliance.

Harnessing the Power of AI to Improve Your Routine Tasks

Presenter: Meade School Board Member & WDT Assessment Coordinator Justin Jutting

Friday, 9:00 to 9:50 a.m. in Rooms 11-12

Educational institutions are constantly seeking innovative ways to enhance the learning experience for both students and faculty, while also ensuring academic integrity. Artificial intelligence (AI) presents an opportunity to help staff improve routine practices, which enhance their duties and frees up time to accomplish other essential tasks.

Using AI to be a More Efficient Leader

Presenter: DSU Dean of the College of Education & Human Performance Dr. David De Jong

Friday, 11:00 to 11:50 a.m. in Room 3

Bring your laptop to this hands-on session where you’ll see different AI tools modeled and then have time to explore each tool. Learn to use ChatGPT, MagicSchoolAI, NoteBookLM, Suno, Diffit, CharacterAI, and HeyGen. We’ll discuss how to use these tools to be more efficient, which frees up time to invest in the important human relationships around us.