[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6384474,"mediaKeyId","2122595-c0237b3ef5a59f291623eae7f981d98c","parentId",2122595,"title","Board reviews preliminary policies on artificial intelligence and staff/student technology use","audioSeconds",273,"startMs",3304000,"endMs",3577000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2122595-c0237b3ef5a59f291623eae7f981d98c&start=3304&end=3577","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2122595-c0237b3ef5a59f291623eae7f981d98c/thumbnail_3304000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6384474/Indiana/Board-reviews-preliminary-policies-on-artificial-intelligence-and-staffstudent-technology-use","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6384474-48bb39a284e9089e45b5be01cbac6d66/orig.mp4?Expires=1775556625&Signature=hCithbr5ojIu8eNe-zGmK5lLJRBRvhFPpdPl9VLSEPXeaF3rR3xcdcrRLjEBjPNGetIits4iV~J88VbtG1u6-s6rvXcFtbxW9YZL81UJcbZUSu2WvIkI0Jv087W1TnUlK3TtoGWrfzAPkRmNxe8vv5GwHwCxbuPhRQoj7Mm29q9d-YnZEBbjgWx~EeOP3bYm9hqWc-Kh1-qlLp9LkcRMUQn1vHrZkRRnApiFrwh4gSUIn0eAgFvuny~rwzHSYv4D6rKY-DokD0uZ6F6neA3uEYHqHlD0XTwmkre65qm3PcRAvVIHn6jk2fSHerZNn5ZVXQEG~aZtdD-HWSinS-MYuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-15T13:06:33Z","article","Elkhart Community Schools trustees received preliminary consideration Jan. 14 of three proposed policy revisions addressing technology use and artificial intelligence by students and staff.

The administration presented proposed updates to board policy 7540.03 (student technology acceptable use and safety), 7540.06 (staff use of technology) and a new or overarching policy, 7540.09, focused specifically on artificial intelligence. The proposed language would clarify appropriate use of AI and natural language-processing tools in school work and update general acceptable-use language.

Board members discussed enforcement and detection concerns. One board member said faculty can often discern between a student's unaided writing and a submission altered by AI, adding that the district's English teachers are \"top notch\" and experienced in detecting atypical work. The administration emphasized that consequences for inappropriate use would be determined on a case-by-case basis, drawing on existing progressive-discipline procedures for students and employees.

The policies were presented for preliminary consideration; no final vote or policy adoption occurred at the meeting. Board members and administrators expressed interest in both teaching students responsible AI use and ensuring staff have guidance on how to apply the tools as they prepare students for a workforce that increasingly uses these technologies.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ECS Board of School Trustees’ Meeting 1/14/24","oneSentenceSummary","The board received preliminary drafts of three technology policies addressing student and staff use of artificial intelligence and other digital tools and discussed disciplinary and instructional implications; no policy adoption occurred at the meeting.","taxTitle","Elkhart Community Schools, School Boards, Indiana","taxId",13078,"location","Indiana","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6384478,"Parents praise student-led repainting project; another speaker alleges board resignation cover-up",245,1678000,1923000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2122595-c0237b3ef5a59f291623eae7f981d98c&start=1678&end=1923","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2122595-c0237b3ef5a59f291623eae7f981d98c/thumbnail_1678000.jpg","/articles/6384478/Indiana/Parents-praise-student-led-repainting-project-another-speaker-alleges-board-resignation-cover-up","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6384478-bed38ff708224ec919a2501dbc7965d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775556625&Signature=QPBC-L7XNzmZKx7ciz2s-qGFRRD4WiDo1YpwbRAvV3mN5nhSp60plMRbGCuqJTSNITkgS3lOxEm7BxNUBCjdaU0Z7S3RtVJCXkSfnzRZJRGG5Ni1WlYsA1ygTB2-86rl2KEZr6te-BhLZSCnnHOduU~8gxP1NFVRvnWXs2dr2-CKuBMiOThMrihSXgW7RPBve1LlUHVmA8xvwwjZe8jdzy1nV3ZdmAtMbki-8oT-THx4xH63kqTTukfWzc6~MrzG752VeD454~j6qvR0W6b66Q~0iddFR4CPbK12frmNXXPgzOakYlj6hoqRQEbMozxHU-xXhSIKgPO57N-qLGqnbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the board's public comment period Jan. 14, parent and district employee Jeff Miller praised freshmen who repainted stairwells and walls at the freshman division to reflect Elkhart High School Lions branding, saying the students spent 37 hours over winter break on the project.

\"These kids have been told that this isn't their job,\" Miller said, describing resistance the students received from some adults after undertaking the work. He said the project cost about $500 in materials and asked the board to \"build up our young people instead of crushing their spirit.\" Miller also urged the board to revisit employee recognition rules that delay service awards when employees take breaks in service.

Angela Whitlow, a parent, addressed the board later in public comment with allegations about the handling of board resignations. Whitlow said she discovered differing records for two board members: she said Jeff Bylar's open seat was posted after a reported Dec. 10 resignation but that Daisy Davis's September announcement that she planned to resign was not posted with accompanying paperwork. Whitlow said she spoke with the clerk's office, which confirmed Davis had not filed formal paperwork though she had reportedly called to ask about the process. \"I asked, 'What games are being played here?'\" Whitlow said, calling the situation \"the outright deceitful behavior\" and urging a written apology if Davis remains on the board.

Board President Troy Scott responded later in the meeting with procedural information about filling a separate vacancy in District B. He outlined the timeline for letters of interest and resumes (deadline Jan. 24) and a January 29 interview and appointment schedule to fill that seat within the 30-day statutory window. The board also said district maps and clerk's office resources can help residents confirm whether they live in District B.

No district staff provided a substantive denial during the public-comment speakers' remarks; the district said earlier in the meeting that resignation and appointment paperwork is processed through the clerk's office and provided contact steps for residents seeking information.","Public comment at the Jan. 14 Elkhart board meeting included praise for a student-led project to rebrand freshman division walls and a parent's allegation that a board member's reported resignation was mishandled and possibly covered up by district staff.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6384482,"Board names finance officers, keeps Lake City Bank and legal counsel; DUAB report shows enrollment decline and falling cash balance",143,1218000,1361000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2122595-c0237b3ef5a59f291623eae7f981d98c&start=1218&end=1361","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2122595-c0237b3ef5a59f291623eae7f981d98c/thumbnail_1218000.jpg","/articles/6384482/Indiana/Board-names-finance-officers-keeps-Lake-City-Bank-and-legal-counsel-DUAB-report-shows-enrollment-decline-and-falling-cash-balance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6384482-5fca8cc0bfae7b97cd9f9c09a1d27af0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775556625&Signature=dPjtF7rtBEYvKeliLybb6GnDB6nD~UsvGZD7W3l6QCvvMetqufoTler661EZKnvl3WoRicPC5JA-kV6D~ex4-cCNZY-zk~pt6J7AVQY3ctZhyVZ5SVnqlwFqhzjTZ-jvIYGXi5Qls~fc6la57cHqLm4e5q6J8K9S77K6e1zvmeSk-MJKEtgEIha9ZR3WmyxLeLS0SvSMrNHh5LlXzbWBVd7rodPcqq33~lxj0K66eI8j87YlOuVPbpv-yQxYvHJs31gMTU~k1Vmc3k8sRLTVL8MXb2ybH4komHWF252PVTdWpEseERXbj~2ZWL59qlGO6cnNo5Zkfpl7PzeLnDwbvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Elkhart Community Schools Board of Trustees adopted a January 2025 resolution Jan. 14 that appointed the district treasurer and deputy treasurer, set copying fees and official legal publication outlets, and continued relationships with financial and legal service providers.

During the organizational portion of the meeting a presenter asked the board to \"appoint myself as the treasurer of the school district of Elkhart Community Schools, Erica Purvis, our controller as the deputy treasurer of Elkhart Community Schools.\" The resolution also designated Lake City Bank as the district's cash-management provider for 2025 and named Barnes & Thornburg as legal counsel for financial matters; it set the mileage rate, bond amounts for officers who handle district funds and named the Elkhart Truth and Negotiate News for required legal publications. The board approved the resolution unanimously.

At the board of finance annual meeting that followed, administrators presented the DUAB (Department of Local Government Finance/DUAB) fiscal indicators. A district presenter said the district has seen a nearly 10-year enrollment decline and is \"starting to see a dip in our cash balance.\" The presenter added the district has increased its cash balance over the prior four years and therefore has some runway to manage the short-term deficit trend.

The presentation noted that Elkhart Community Schools has no traditional investment vehicles; the district instead uses sweep accounts with Lake City Bank and U.S. Bank to earn additional interest, the presenter said.

Board members asked where the DUAB reports are available; the administration said the DUAB indicators are included in the public packet and also available through the DUAB website so the public can compare school districts. The presenter said DUAB is a monitoring tool that looks at multiple financial indicators and is used to prompt early conversations if a district shows worrisome trends.

The board recorded the resolution as passing unanimously; no roll-call tally was provided in the public record.","The board adopted a January 2025 resolution that appoints district finance officers, continues the Lake City Bank relationship and names Barnes & Thornburg for financial legal matters; administrators also presented the DUAB fiscal indicators showing declining enrollment and a dip in cash balance.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6384487,"Elkhart board approves $19.8 million in bonds for middle school renovations, says tax rate unchanged",121,2913000,3034000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2122595-c0237b3ef5a59f291623eae7f981d98c&start=2913&end=3034","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2122595-c0237b3ef5a59f291623eae7f981d98c/thumbnail_2913000.jpg","/articles/6384487/Indiana/Elkhart-board-approves-198-million-in-bonds-for-middle-school-renovations-says-tax-rate-unchanged","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6384487-1ca6d2867770a07cd2ee3fbc455ae612/orig.mp4?Expires=1775556625&Signature=R7wYx9Vc5aawD9RioFDnDs91JhlxdyvPXlHqnyeX-dW8YjJlMvNOQawWDjM1m54UKr21b3ZYK0VC7fwiKg6uxvoTl-54ZdN7KJQHpBA4AfOAgo8Kd4H-jiYqansOWGp-vnLpPvzHZM~mZnx9frrPf0g~JPGIhlXTaYBOkAP7cbfPIURHllOH9T8IYvbGd6FMZjQfYLkx4fhPUXAg4dDNGRgmG9W5mrS5SYbpHw5wrWRsSFAwTHN0JYHMJWy5Xx01Pf9lAlHB0lCSiBNvxCt7TtgMFKpZ4mzXgY5WcMmb76mA6BkRAPbEkF~8GKxZKK1XWh3gtbOBFWNEV06o28~YEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Elkhart Community Schools Board of Trustees voted unanimously Jan. 14 to approve projects and additional appropriations tied to the 2025 A, B and C bond issues, a package the district said will provide $19.8 million in capital for middle school renovations.

The board heard a presentation describing the plan as funding renovations at all three middle schools to accommodate sixth-grade students next year. \"The proposal is for $6,600,000 for the A, B, and C bond, totaling $19,800,000 in projected revenues,\" the presenter said during the public hearing. \"This will not increase our overall tax rate for the school district. We will remain at 91.97 cents.\"

Board members opened a public hearing as required for the bond appropriations. No members of the public spoke during the hearing. After discussion, a motion to approve the projects and the additional appropriations carried unanimously.

The presenter summarized the types of work planned: primarily classroom updates, corridor work and locker replacements; the buildings have not seen significant improvements since 1988, the district said. The board noted the work is meant to complete the district's transition of sixth-grade students into the middle schools.

The board suspended the regular meeting to hold the hearing and reconvened before voting to advance the projects and appropriations.

The board did not provide a roll-call vote tally in the public proceedings; the meeting minutes record the motion as passing unanimously.

Looking ahead, the district said construction and renovation scheduling will proceed so the renovated spaces are available for the incoming sixth-grade cohort next year.","The Elkhart Community Schools board approved projects and appropriations tied to 2025 A, B and C bonds totaling $19.8 million to renovate three middle schools and move sixth graders into those buildings; district leaders said the measure will not raise the district's tax rate.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board reviews preliminary policies on artificial intelligence and staff/student technology use

Parents praise student-led repainting project; another speaker alleges board resignation cover-up

Board names finance officers, keeps Lake City Bank and legal counsel; DUAB report shows enrollment decline and falling cash balance

Elkhart board approves $19.8 million in bonds for middle school renovations, says tax rate unchanged