[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",[32,76,88],{"_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":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6200227,"mediaKeyId","3817977-d8782b5dde2651fa3de969d6f62db8c1","parentId",3817977,"title","Western Middle School student presents capstone warning of AI reliance; board thanks presenter","audioSeconds",471,"startMs",50000,"endMs",521000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3817977-d8782b5dde2651fa3de969d6f62db8c1&start=50&end=521","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3817977-d8782b5dde2651fa3de969d6f62db8c1/thumbnail_50000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6200227/Connecticut/Western-Middle-School-student-presents-capstone-warning-of-AI-reliance-board-thanks-presenter","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200227-fb5128cff8a9f3f45ff2e7f0ff79adb4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195423&Signature=g02DtQqdOeQWEBGt3K7O0Abfl3LMj3CAkHb6QZApWWlRHk~gqn86S4KBNlJtizpraG754biKnYcFM42ftGLZ8CYdTvIpihO-VHENpaaLwjvRPQVeZwWxiYQFduH9fPS2GCtF0tW~9xGrWwTkCHcXlnMJaS8LtZ9ceVfPPjIuwgxzUUgAtu82gfBXyqmpxcnT-xAPw6X1PoINfuIZ2WuaR0EEPjx9VxepBSF-T~gYquEtes8Raq1na0pDbPu-r0z-zzhsUbrwjAElVgXsKSUZVylLZLZI4gHVcEGycJtgxOEQ4XyS7yWm5fsRFhuPA-25byJv5gpkSU09QZZXDrYv3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Greenwich School District","date","2025-06-13T11:55:22Z","article","An eighth grader from Western Middle School told the Greenwich Board of Education on Tuesday that generative artificial intelligence is increasingly easy to access and risks undermining students’ critical thinking and academic honesty.

Sam Otten, who said he has experience in computer programming, introduced a short documentary as part of his capstone project and described interviews with software engineers and others who use language models in their daily work. “Students, I think, pretty frequently, are attempting to pass off their own writing, or rather pass off writing as their own even though they've used some kind of generative AI to help them produce it,” Sam told the board.

Sam proposed several remedies, including returning to in‑person, handwritten exams to preserve assessment integrity and teaching students how to use AI responsibly. “Some other solutions could be imposing stricter artificial intelligence use policies or even teaching proper use of these platforms to prevent the problem before it even starts,” he said.

Board response
Superintendent Dr. Jones thanked Sam and asked whether he had used AI in preparing the project; Sam said he had not. Dr. Jones praised the interviews Sam conducted and said she appreciated the timely perspective.

Why it matters
Sam’s presentation reflects growing local and national conversations about how schools should integrate AI instruction and enforcement into classroom practice — balancing opportunities for productivity with concerns about learning loss, academic integrity and assessment design.

Ending
Board members thanked Sam for attending and presenting; Sam’s recommendations will feed into broader district conversations about technology use and academic integrity.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 12, 2025 Board of Education Business Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Eighth grader Sam Otten presented a capstone project to the Greenwich Board of Education about students’ reliance on generative artificial intelligence, urging rules and in‑person assessments to protect learning and academic honesty.","taxTitle","Greenwich School District, School Districts, Connecticut","taxId",38354,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6200232,"Board actions: Greenwich BOE approves goals, policies and authorizes summer transfers; interim request for transportation approved",1100,7656000,8756000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3817977-d8782b5dde2651fa3de969d6f62db8c1&start=7656&end=8756","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3817977-d8782b5dde2651fa3de969d6f62db8c1/thumbnail_7656000.jpg","/articles/6200232/Connecticut/Board-actions-Greenwich-BOE-approves-goals-policies-and-authorizes-summer-transfers-interim-request-for-transportation-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200232-a835f108bd1f8b25d2a239f690e06860/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195423&Signature=ZWMqT4Jzx~kAW~iTqXVHx-vcgApZuBMby78ZvB2OIKvGB4~AlQ-YeOBpGzZ5oq-j17R8Gdz-pQ9XZFxXl4XYI1WbmhspA68hhWA-uktZWoTdk6EYFv52nJT9-Dh52pT-sGdK7QQ6kiwJFfMYa4goBpOA89smmTZPdsJ~v9KxM--lJ~z0FE6GSVjb49eSxjfdkWKbUkae4BfqwxxWdm6ErtZ2u16F0ymCMoPZHflibrUhcC53arYoYVawU9jnU9q8JAdrxx8UVjojglZuUdP0KnY20ptUdAihGusEQeIL6IAumB1IX17la~-4YoFDVaHt-eCDPZGGjETzgNEUD~Q-Lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Greenwich Board of Education approved several administrative items and took votes on budget procedures and a transportation interim at its meeting.

Key outcomes
- Board goals approved: The board voted 7–0 to approve the board goals for 2026–27 after discussion and minor revisions. The goals outline the board’s priorities on student learning, social‑emotional supports, fiscal oversight and facilities.

- Policy approvals: The board approved several personnel and technology policies (listed in meeting materials) by a 7–0 vote. A first read on a revised gifts and grants policy (Policy 3280) was held; the committee discussion noted differing views on whether to change the district’s gift cap and asked for further community input.

- Executive committee authorized for summer transfers: The board authorized the Board of Education executive committee (chair, vice chair and secretary) to approve year‑end budget appropriation transfers as needed; the motion passed 6–1.

- Interim request for transportation funding: After an amended motion, the board voted to request an operating interim of $1,957,842 for fiscal 2025–26 to cover possible high‑school transportation costs. The amended motion (which broadened allowable uses to funds “as determined by the Board of Education”) passed 6–0–1.

- CEAC/SEAC presentation moved on calendar: The board voted 7–0 to change the Committee on Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC/CEAC) annual report from a written item to a presentation; SEAC presented priorities and low‑cost recommendations for special education supports.

What the actions do and next steps
The board goals provide an annual blueprint for board work and are distinct from the superintendent’s goals and the district strategic plan. Policy approvals put new or revised rules into the district’s policy manual. The executive committee authorization will allow staff to complete routine, year‑end accounting transfers without convening a full board meeting; board members said they expect a full public report afterward.

The interim request is a formal request to the town’s finance bodies (Board of Estimate and Taxation and the Representative Town Meeting) for additional operating funds. Board members and administration noted there is not yet a formal commitment from town finance bodies and that any acceptance would require separate actions by those bodies. The superintendent and district staff also said they are awaiting legal and contract guidance on whether transportation providers could implement a start‑time change or related service adjustments in time for the fall.

The meeting included robust public comment on music staffing at Greenwich High School and a long SEAC presentation; board members and staff said they would follow up over the summer on several items.","At its meeting the Greenwich Board of Education approved its 2026–27 board goals and several policies, authorized the executive committee to approve summer budget transfers, and voted to request an operating interim to cover potential high‑school transportation costs.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6200236,"Hundreds of students, parents urge Greenwich BOE to restore music teacher role and keep band director at GHS",4555,1730000,6285000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3817977-d8782b5dde2651fa3de969d6f62db8c1&start=1730&end=6285","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3817977-d8782b5dde2651fa3de969d6f62db8c1/thumbnail_1730000.jpg","/articles/6200236/Connecticut/Hundreds-of-students-parents-urge-Greenwich-BOE-to-restore-music-teacher-role-and-keep-band-director-at-GHS","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200236-c93a7dc5fe0a33219f47fda2370ed21f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195423&Signature=dKbyybNHVRKZgl8ZzS7WZEomjGtQan-iy9Use9agVbKNflmn~X7pgIuP0qGIb7EoToFApPO~o-Te3DGhCw3AZjigXcDW4zLp75BYR9PffLXObJHbZfFweZb-gyQgvGX-MUHN2qQto5eZASyOihwmHHo8ie7MQOL41UI2-DlMAUn4StE0IEW1qUxbiWj6g8iyN9VhcrBjuL0tOPLz~VYy66TVtjYg23IUnZBgKzPNL7~PFnjvtWKIuC8lWu9XxCJbcKWb94bo63c3RuAMExgM5xlt~sv-vSB~JWw3BrvzZSNQtU9r5VwqwtwBbJpsUy7oQLhUWSw8AYvDOPYndZx4NA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of students, parents and PTA leaders packed the Greenwich Board of Education meeting and urged the board to reverse a proposed reduction that would move longtime Greenwich High School band director Michael Breaux out of the high school and reduce the district’s music staff.

Students and family members described the band program as a “family” that relies on Breaux’s daily presence and coaching. “Please reinstate Mister Breaux and preserve the fifth FTE,” student Miller Fishback told the board, saying Breaux had helped rebuild the program after COVID disruptions. Multiple speakers said they feared consolidating music duties onto one teacher would force cuts to ensembles, the jazz festival and after‑school offerings.

The push came during an extended public comment period focused on one agenda item: staffing changes in the music department for next school year. Parents and student leaders said the board’s budget reductions and lower course requests had led administrators to propose shifting Breaux to a middle school and reducing the high school music staff from five full‑time positions to fewer. “Mister Bro is the only faculty member at GHS that I really trust,” rising senior Elias Sorrell said. “Losing him at GHS would be like losing a family member.”

Why it matters: speakers said the changes would reduce students’ access to ensemble classes, private‑lesson supplements and signature events such as the annual Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival and the pep band at football games. Several students said music participation supports their academic and emotional engagement with school: “It gives students who may not shine in other subjects a place to feel confident and proud,” sophomore Michael Wooten told the board.

Board reaction and district staffing details
Superintendent Dr. Jones acknowledged the passion of the speakers and told the board she would “go back tomorrow and continue to reflect” on staffing and schedule choices. She said building schedules are assembled from student course requests and that overall enrollment changes — the driver, she said, of many shift decisions — had decreased demand across disciplines.

District staff later offered specifics in the meeting. At one point Dana (district scheduler) told the board, “when you compare last year's numbers to this year's numbers, we had roughly 100 less requests total among the entire music department.” Assistant or central staff member Ralph said the district currently has five full‑time music teachers and “we are moving to 4.2 music teachers for next year.” Dana added that AP Music Theory would not run in person because only five students requested it; the district planned to offer an online option for those students instead.

Discussion versus decision
The board did not take an immediate vote to restore a position or reverse the staffing decision during the meeting. Dr. Jones said administrators would review the schedule and staffing again. The superintendent also noted work underway to add a new position focused on student wellness and supports, and emphasized the district’s need to balance staffing across all departments while remaining fiscally responsible.

What speakers asked the board to do
Speakers requested that the board (a) reinstate the fifth full‑time music teaching position at Greenwich High School, (b) preserve Breaux’s assignment at GHS to maintain program continuity and (c) protect the district’s ability to run ensembles and signature events. PTA Council president John Fisher urged the board to “embrace and own the fiduciary responsibility” for equitable arts programming and warned against sending central administration out of town property such as the Havemeyer Building.

Next steps
Board members acknowledged the urgency in public comments and the superintendent said staff would reconvene quickly to review schedules. Dana and Ralph said detailed section assignments were still being finalized and would be shared with department leaders; the board said it expects additional conversations over the summer. No formal reversal of the staffing plan was made at the meeting.

Ending: The band community’s testimony extended across more than an hour of public comment. Board members repeatedly thanked students for showing up; the superintendent promised follow‑up discussions, and district staff provided enrollment and staffing numbers that will shape any further action.","Dozens of students, parents and PTA leaders told the Greenwich Board of Education they oppose moving band director Michael Breaux out of Greenwich High School and warned that cutting a full-time music teacher would damage the high school’s music program.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Western Middle School student presents capstone warning of AI reliance; board thanks presenter

Board actions: Greenwich BOE approves goals, policies and authorizes summer transfers; interim request for transportation approved

Hundreds of students, parents urge Greenwich BOE to restore music teacher role and keep band director at GHS