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Committee approves revisions to student electronic-device policy; asks technology staff to add AI language
Summary
The committee approved updates to policy JCDAE on student use of electronic devices to cover wearable technology, define the instructional day and restrict school-issued devices; members asked technology staff to draft AI guidelines for an upcoming acceptable-use policy.
The Policy Committee of the Whole approved revisions April 1 to policy JCDAE, tightening rules on student use of electronic devices to include wearable technology, to define the instructional day, and to prohibit certain uses of school-issued devices.
Mister Westmoreland, presenting the revision, said the update follows guidance from the Department of Education and adds a definition of the instructional day, extends the rule to school-related events such as athletic competitions and field trips, and clarifies acceptable means for parents to contact students. "This is an update from Department of Education, specifically, Bessie, that talks about some new provisions including prohibiting possession of wearable the possession of wearable technology, gives a definition of what the instructional day is, the applicability of the provision to school related events, including athletic competitions, field trips, etcetera," Mister Westmoreland said.
The revision also bars students from using school-issued devices to access personal messaging features and sets disciplinary measures for repeated violations. Mister Piazza recommended broadening the language to cover new and future devices that can link to Wi-Fi or social media platforms; the committee added that language. "...that will cover this and anything that could be invented or accessible in the future related to our devices capable of linking to WiFi and or any social media platforms has been added to the policy also," the record shows.
Board members asked how the policy would apply during athletic events. Committee members clarified the rule applies during the instructional day (including scheduled school-time events and on buses) but not to after-hours events that fall outside the instructional day. The committee discussed a grace period for implementation: members said the remainder of the current school year would be treated as a transition period while staff and families adapt, with full enforcement expected in 2025–26.
The motion to approve the revisions was made by Mister Piazza and seconded by Mister Anthony. Voting was recorded as closed with the motion passing (the transcript records "Motion passes"). The meeting record does not provide a full roll-call tally.
After the vote, a committee member asked that the technology department draft policy language addressing artificial intelligence. Technology staff confirmed they are already drafting AI language and will include it in the district's Acceptable Use Policy, which will come to the board for approval. "They're already working on it. ... They're going to include that in our acceptable use policy," Miss Dina Spears said.
The committee approved the JCDAE revisions and asked technology staff to bring back the Acceptable Use Policy containing AI provisions for board consideration.
