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Severity: elevated · Category: programs · Last updated: Feb 27, 2026 · Dollar amount: $17K
A new AI subscription appears in the budget book's Program Extensions (p.10, $17,000) and was addressed in Q&A Q26/Q27 (originally Q22/Q23) — but it still isn't in the brochure voters receive.
Program Extensions (p.10): MagicSchool AI enterprise license listed at $17,000. Linked financial detail shows $16,274.50 — a minor discrepancy not explained.
Q&A Q26 (originally Q22) confirmed: staff trialed free versions of MagicSchool, School AI, Khanmigo, and ChatGPT before selecting MagicSchool. Q27 (originally Q23) confirmed an AI committee has been developing handbooks and guidance.
This item appears in the budget book appendix and linked financials but not in the brochure voters receive.
$17,000/year new AI subscription: answered in Q&A but still not in brochure
Document: Budget Workshop Q&A + FY27 Budget Book
Reference: Budget Book p.10 — Program Extensions ($17,000) · Q&A Questions 22-23 · Budget Book p.76 — Technology (CLICK HERE for Technology financials)
Q&A: School Committee Q&A Document (gorhamschools.org) — Q26, Q27 (were Q22, Q23 in the February Q&A)
Asked: Q26 (originally Q22): Has there been a small trial of Magic School AI and what kind of feedback has been provided? Q27 (originally Q23): Does this subscription support any recommendations coming from the AI committee?
District answer: Q26 (originally Q22): The district confirmed staff spent a year experimenting with free versions of MagicSchool, School AI, Khanmigo, and ChatGPT. MagicSchool was selected based on cost and protections offered. Q27 (originally Q23): The AI committee has been developing handbooks and discussing professional development needs, supporting the platform choice.
Analyst note: The district answered honestly and completely across Q26 and Q27 (originally Q22 and Q23). The concern is not that they answered poorly — it's that voters who didn't attend the workshops or read the now-86+ question document still have no way to know this cost exists. The brochure has not been updated to include it. Note: The budget book Program Extensions (p.10) lists $17,000 while linked financial detail shows $16,274.50 — a minor discrepancy that remains unexplained.