Missoula Schools Adopt Broad AI Policy

The Missoula County Public Schools board unanimously approved an AI policy built on Montana School Board Association language.

Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence

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The Missoula County Public Schools board unanimously passed a new artificial intelligence policy at its Tuesday meeting. The policy allows students to use AI tools only responsibly and for educational purposes, and prohibits using AI to cheat or disseminate inappropriate content.

Why it matters

The policy is deliberately broad so it can apply as the technology evolves, and it may be revised as AI changes. Several other Montana districts, including Florence-Carlton, Hamilton and Stevensville, are considering the same boilerplate language.

The policy is built on boilerplate language from the Montana School Board Association and is expected to be revisited within eight to 10 months. Its exact enforcement mechanics, including any specific consequences for misuse, have not been specified.

The players

Missoula County Public Schools

The Missoula County school district whose board adopted the new AI policy and oversees its public schools in western Montana.

Micah Hill

The superintendent of Missoula County Public Schools, who said the policy is not punitive and does not specify suspension for AI misuse.

Anne Wake

A Missoula County Public Schools trustee who said the policy could be changed in the next eight to 10 months.

Montana School Board Association

The statewide organization whose boilerplate language was used as the basis for the Missoula AI policy.

The details

Superintendent Micah Hill said the policy is not punitive and does not specify suspension for AI misuse. Teachers have access to optional AI professional development and are not prohibited from using AI as a tool, but must check any work produced with AI for grading or other purposes. The board's updated internet policy also bars offensive or harassing messages and deepfakes, and students and staff have no privacy right over anything stored or shared on district devices.

May 2026: The board first discussed adding the AI policy.
Nov. 10, 2026: The board passed the AI policy and minor changes to the internet policy at its Tuesday meeting.
Within eight to 10 months: The policy could be changed as the technology evolves.
2027 legislative session: Lawmakers could make policy decisions on AI.

The Tech Race

Missoula's policy follows a statewide template from the Montana School Board Association that several Bitterroot-area districts are also weighing. Because it is intentionally broad, it signals that districts are waiting on state lawmakers, who could take up AI policy in the 2027 legislative session.

Students in Missoula County schools must use AI tools responsibly and only for educational purposes, and must not use them to cheat or spread inappropriate content. Anything students or staff store or share on district devices is not private, and teachers must check any AI-assisted work they produce for grading.

The takeaway

Districts adopting AI rules now are choosing broad, adaptable language rather than detailed penalties. Families and staff should expect the rules to change as the technology and state law develop.

What happens next

Lawmakers could make AI policy decisions during the 2027 legislative session, and the Missoula board has signaled the policy could be changed within eight to 10 months.