At the Aug. 13 agenda review meeting, district staff presented multiple items on facilities, safety and technology: contract renewals for safe passage and sports‑equipment services, a one‑year extension of Chicago Connected Internet service for eligible families, and proposed revisions to staff and student acceptable‑use policies with new guidance on artificial intelligence.

Safe passage and athletics equipment
Acting Chief of Safety and Security Ronan Chblewski requested authorization for the third and final renewal of safe‑passage contracts that would staff routes at 191 schools and fund continued services at a not-to-exceed amount presented to the board. Chblewski described safe‑passage workers as community mentors who “build relationships, de‑escalate potential conflicts, and provide an extra set of watchful eyes to help keep the students safe.” The staff noted the vendor pool and a modest change in hours tied to budget adjustments: the program will reduce each route’s daily hours by 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the afternoon to preserve coverage under constrained funding.

Separately, the Office of Sports Administration sought an amendment to add funds to contracts for helmet and shoulder‑pad reconditioning and recertification, citing higher participation and the need to replace equipment that fails recertification. Staff said the annual reconditioning ensures compliance with safety standards and that schools will continue to receive equipment invoices after season end for budgeting and planning.

Chicago Connected — Internet for students
ITS staff presented renewals under the Chicago Connected initiative — a city‑funded program using ARPA funds that provides no‑cost internet service to participating families. ITS asked the board to authorize second final renewal agreements with providers including T‑Mobile, Comcast and RCN for up to $4 million for another 12 months; district staff said no CPS operating funds are required for this renewal because the city extended ARPA funding for another year. The program serves roughly 20,000 households and helps close the digital divide for students without home broadband.

Technology policy updates and AI guidance
Acting Chief Information Officer Ed Wagner and staff asked the board to release revised staff and student acceptable use policies (AUPs) for public comment and to rescind an older standalone Internet‑safety policy. The updated AUPs add formatting, clarify unacceptable uses, and incorporate new language about artificial intelligence usage and protections. Wagner said the student AUP will be translated into multiple languages and included in back‑to‑school materials; staff also plan age‑appropriate AUP training for students.

Why it matters: safety, connectivity and digital governance
These items affect daily student experience — safe passage coverage, athletic safety equipment and home internet access — and ITS said the AUP updates aim to keep policies aligned with federal rules such as CIPA and FERPA while adding AI guardrails.

Next steps: the renewals and policy changes will be shared as public comment items and are scheduled for formal action at subsequent board meetings after the public comment periods and scheduled capital/budget hearings.