A former Concord kindergarten teacher has claimed artificial intelligence played a role in the performance review that ultimately cost her her job in a Massachusetts public school.
Here's what to know
According to Boston 25 News, teacher Christine Apollos was dismissed by superintendent Laurie Hunter in 2025 based on evaluation documents from the prior two school years. The district cited alleged inefficiency, incompetence, and failure to meet performance standards as just cause.
Apollos disputed the termination and took the case to arbitration, where she contended that parts of those evaluations — among them the final review that recommended termination — were generated using AI instead of being written by the principal.
Apollos reportedly used the tool GPTZero in an attempt to identify the use of AI in the documents, highlighting mistakes and possible AI "hallucinations" in the materials.
This August, a ruling from arbitrator Thomas Kochan went against Apollos.
"Now, Apollos argues that Kochan improperly conducted his own investigation into GPTZero's reliability after the hearing," according to Boston 25.
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More background
The local news outlet outlined the points of Apollos' more recent complaint, including assertions that Kochan's investigation into the reliability of GPTZero involved the use of "more advanced AI technology than what existed ... in 2025" and did not allow Apollos to challenge or respond to the arbitrator's findings.
AI tools and detectors are being used more and more in the education world, shaping how schools, employers, and courts evaluate written work.
Apollos also alleged that age discrimination played a role in her termination. Kochan rejected that claim.
What's being done?
Apollos has brought her most recent complaint to court, asking for the arbitration decision to be thrown out on the grounds that Kochan's outside research kept her from contesting evidence that was used against her.
Apollos hopes to be given a new hearing before different arbitrators.
Boston 25 reported that the school district may have until early 2027 to respond.
Where can I learn more?
Questions about AI are surfacing in schools and workplaces across the country:
• At New York University, a professor turned to personalized oral exams after AI blurred student authorship.
• McDonald's faced backlash after an AI hiring platform exposed applicant data in a major breach.
• A 2026 workplace report challenged the productivity narrative as AI reshaped jobs and expectations.
• At Ignite Tech, the CEO defended firing nearly 80% of staff in the AI race.
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