Board reviews first reading of handbook changes addressing student use of AI; cell‑phone rules remain discretionary

The Lincoln Way District 210 Advisory presented the first reading of recommended handbook revisions on April 17 that add language about students' use of artificial intelligence and emphasize teacher discretion for classroom use of AI. Advisory members told the board that the handbook language was drafted in consultation with the Illinois Principals Association and other model documents and that it frames AI as a tool to be used at teacher discretion. Board members said they viewed the district as ahead of many others for adding AI guidance now and noted that cell‑phone policy remains a point of debate among teachers. "The wording on it is I think you're 1 of the first districts to even put wording in it which is I think you're ahead of the game... it's used as a teacher discretion as a tool," an advisory representative said. Staff said the handbook with the AI language will return for approval in May. The board and advisory also discussed that statewide guidance on cell‑phone use has not been finalized and that a single, districtwide rule may be challenging because teachers use phones differently in instruction. The advisory noted they will continue professional development around AI as the technology evolves.