May 28, 2026
Where The 20% Comes From
The 20% figure is not arbitrary. It comes from looking at what a typical school division actually holds and sorting it by two criteria: sensitivity and portability.
Start with what cannot leave the building by law or policy. When you inventory a typical small to mid-size division and sort everything by legal protection obligation, you generally land somewhere in the range of 15 to 25 percent of total data volume. The 20% is a working estimate. The actual figure varies by division size and data management practices.
The other 80% – curriculum materials, lesson plans, policy documents, general administrative correspondence, public communications, meeting notes without personal identifiers – is already living in cloud ecosystems. Google Workspace. Microsoft 365. Your SIS vendor’s platform. That data is already being processed off site. That ship has sailed, and for most of it, that is entirely appropriate.
Identifying, isolating and grooming the 20% is where you start. The divisions that map this intentionally now will build it right the first time.
This analysis is provided for informational purposes only by Strategic AI Link (SAIL), an independent AI compliance consultancy based in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It does not constitute legal advice. School divisions should consult legal counsel for division-specific compliance decisions. · This is a living document. Content reflects current understanding and is subject to update as the field evolves. · Strategic AI Education LLC · June 2026