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United ISD staff propose disciplinary code updates including AI cheating, recording limits and search cooperation rule
Summary
District discipline staff presented proposed changes to the student code of conduct that add AI-assisted cheating to academic dishonesty rules, raise penalties for recording others without permission, and make refusal to cooperate with a search a discretionary basis for placement in an alternative program.
United Independent School District administrators presented multiple proposed revisions to the student code of conduct at a June workshop, including adding artificial intelligence to cheating definitions, limiting unauthorized recordings, and raising the consequences for students who refuse to cooperate with searches.
Why it matters: the code of conduct sets discipline procedures that affect suspensions, alternative-school placements and interactions with law enforcement across the district.
An unnamed staff presenter identified as the district director for discipline management outlined the most significant changes. The district would add use of AI-generated work to the level-1 academic dishonesty category, and explicitly add text or video manipulations to the dishonesty provision. Recording another person's voice or image without permission would be moved to a level-2 offense. The presenter said those changes align the code with an updated district policy on recording.
The code would also make refusal to cooperate with a search or fleeing from an official a discretionary basis for placement at an alternative campus. "If they refuse, that allows us to place a child at the alternative school for not cooperating," the presenter said, adding that refusal can heighten safety concerns and may prompt immediate contact with law enforcement.
Staff members discussed new federal and state requirements that touch discipline, including federal obligations to limit piracy of licensed material on district networks and recently passed legislation under consideration affecting vaping and in-school suspension. Legal counsel will be asked to incorporate any statutory language from new bills signed by the governor.
Board members and other trustees asked about consistency, parental notification and how alternative-program contracts are explained to families. Staff said alternative programs (STEP/alternative campuses) have additional intake agreements and structured expectations, and that those agreements are reviewed by legal counsel.
Ending: staff asked the board to authorize legal counsel to modify handbook and code language as required by recent legislative action and to return revised, legally reviewed text for final adoption.
