FLORENCE, S.C. (WMBF) – One Pee Dee school district is investing in the future of its students and teachers by bringing new technologies to help in the classroom.

Florence School District 1 invested nearly $500,000 in AI programs that will be used in classrooms, and they are the first in the state to do so.

The school district was the first in South Carolina to introduce an Artificial Intelligence policy, with school leaders initially presenting it during the October 2024 board meeting.

“I love the fact that Florence 1 is innovative and focused on looking ahead on where not only our community is headed, but our region, United States, and where our world is headed in terms of technology,” said Bryan Dubose, school counselor and member of Spark AI cohort.

The development of the Spark AI cohort began shortly with a group of educators and staff who came together to create a framework for supporting the use of AI.

The Board of Trustees approved multiple AI platforms during the March meeting including Khan Academy’s “Khanmingo,” Magic School, and Google Gemini.

“It is an opportunity to show this is nothing to be afraid of, but how can we use it because our students, they are going to need it,” said Dubose. “If we are not preparing our students appropriately, then we are not educating them appropriately. There is a huge paradigm shift in the way education is today.“

Florence 1 Deputy Superintendent, Kyle Jones shared that another AI product teachers will have is the Audio Enhancement System, which allows the teachers to speak into a microphone, and AI will transcribe and translate it in real-time for students through an earpiece.

Gra Moore, an agriculture teacher at Advanced Academy in Florence, uses Magic School and said AI has been a big help.

“I was a little apprehensive because I am not a computer guy,” said Moore. “I do use it for Google Slides. I used it yesterday for a PowerPoint presentation, I will double-check it, and go back and add pictures to it. It does a really good job. I also use it for tests, worksheets, Google Slides and it has saved a lot of time.”

Even though the programs have not been implemented yet, one parent expressed that she wants her kids to know how to use the technology.

“I want my kids to be able to do everything in their power or everything that they need to be successful in the real world,” said Mallory Hogan. “I am very realistic, and my kids may not want to go to a 4-year college or even a 2-year college. They may go straight into the workforce, and if this helps them be successful in that way, then I am all for it.”

Florence 1 leaders will be implementing the AI programs during the current school year.

Copyright 2025 WMBF. All rights reserved.