Traci Ricks Withdraws from Detroit School Board Application

A school board meeting discussing technology's impact on education.

News Summary

Traci Ricks has withdrawn her application for the Detroit Public Schools Community District board just before her interview. This decision follows scrutiny over her use of AI technology, specifically ChatGPT, in her application materials. The incident raises questions about the authenticity of applications, the role of AI in professional settings, and the expectations for candidates. As the school board searches for a new member, stakeholders are concerned with the implications of technology in education and the integrity of the application process.

Detroit – Traci Ricks has withdrawn her application for a position on the Detroit Public Schools Community District board, a move that comes just one day before her scheduled interview. The school district confirmed her withdrawal on Wednesday, and it follows recent inquiries about her use of AI technology—specifically ChatGPT—in her application materials.

While Ricks has not publicly explained her decision to withdraw, her action coincided with questions raised by media outlets about her responses to a mandatory 13-question survey for applicants. Reports indicate that some of her answers included text that appeared to be generated by ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence chatbot. This has raised concerns regarding the authenticity of her application and adherence to the expectations set for candidates.

Ricks was one of 15 applicants vying for the position left vacant by the resignation of board member Angelique Peterson-Mayberry. The newly appointed board member will serve through the end of 2026 and play a critical role in shaping the future of the district. Candidates must have submitted resumes and letters of intent, although these documents have not yet been made public. An open records request has been filed to review the application materials, but the district has stated that fulfilling the request will require an extension of ten business days.

Interviews with candidates commenced on Monday, and the board plans to score the interviews in anticipation of a public vote to appoint a new member on July 28 at Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School. Following the scoring process, board members will consider the qualifications and responses of each candidate, including Ricks, before making a decision.

The controversy surrounding Ricks has sparked a discussion about the use of AI in professional applications. Board member Sherry Gay-Dagnogo has noted that incorporating AI in responses is not inherently negative, provided that candidates express their original thoughts and ideas. In contrast, Stephen J. Aguilar, an associate professor, has labeled the act of directly copying from AI sources as “cognitive laziness,” suggesting that it may undermine the integrity of the application process.

As the board moves forward with the search for a new member, this incident raises broader questions about the role of technology in educational environments and how it may influence candidates’ applications. The situation has highlighted the balance between leveraging new technologies and maintaining authenticity in professional discourse.

With the upcoming vote scheduled, the board remains focused on filling the vacancy with an individual who can contribute effectively to the district’s goals and overcome the challenges currently facing Detroit Public Schools. Stakeholders will continue to observe the implications of this event as it unfolds, particularly regarding the standards expected of applicants seeking to influence educational policy in the district.