Ouachita Parish board adopts multiple policy updates including first AI use policy

The Ouachita Parish School Board approved policy revisions that reflect recent legislative changes and a new locally‑created policy addressing the use of artificial intelligence by students and employees.

Adam Honeysucker, who presented the packet updates, told the board seven of the policies reflect changes made by the state legislature and one — EFAB — was created internally to provide initial guidance on appropriate AI use. He said the EFAB policy defines AI, outlines expected ethical use in assignments and flags deepfakes as a concern. The board's policy review committee recommended approving the packet with one additional clarifying change to an exceptionalities restraint policy.

Honeysucker said the committee added the words “approved physical restraint” to the exceptionalities policy to align with the state’s approved definition and separated physical restraint from corporal punishment in policy JDA per Act 479 from the last legislative session. He and other presenters said they anticipate further amendments to the AI policy as state guidance and district experience evolve.

A public commenter (Ryce) urged the board to treat the policy and procedure manual as a single, governing document and emphasized enforcement of contract and penalty clauses in other agenda items. On the board motion, members voted to approve the recommended policy changes; the chair announced there was no opposition and the motion carried.

The board also said it will review the corporal punishment language again at a future policy review committee meeting and convene an AI task force chaired by district staff to study AI rules and use.