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Board previews new policies on AI and parents' rights as required by state law
Summary
Board members held a first reading of several policy revisions and new policies, including an artificial intelligence acceptable-use policy and a "parents' bill of rights" required by House Bill 8; most changes reflect legislative requirements and the district's existing practices.
The New Albany-Plain Local Board of Education reviewed several policy changes in a first reading Monday, including a new artificial intelligence policy and a parents' bill of rights required by state legislation.
A staff member identified as Jen summarized the packet, saying most changes resulted from recent legislative updates: the parents' bill of rights (House Bill 8), vendor and student technology regulations and staff technology use (Senate Bill 29), and related revisions to food services policy. She said the parents' bill of rights is new to district policy but that many elements are already operationalized in the district.
"It's a policy we don't currently have," Jen said of the parents' bill of rights, noting that the district already provides curriculum access, opt-outs for specific topics and family notifications.
Board members and staff discussed the district's AI approach. The discussion noted that AI language appears not only in the standalone AI policy but also across student conduct and acceptable-use policies. Superintendent Sawyer and board members framed AI as a tool that can be used in instruction but one that requires disclosure and limits to protect academic integrity.
"There's sort of been this transformation or evolution of the AI policy as both district and legislators understand what the potential benefits and risks are for students," a board member said, adding that the policies aim to make responsibilities clear for permissive use.
The district noted the statutory deadline to adopt required policies by July 1 and said the policies would return for a second reading and formal adoption in June to be operational for the 2025-26 school year. The first-reading packet included cross-references where AI language appears in other policies.
Background: The staff said many of the policy items are not new to practice; rather, they reflect state-mandated policy language and consolidations of existing practices. The board asked for no immediate changes at the first reading and will see the policies again at the next meeting.
Next steps: Policies will return for a second reading and a vote at an upcoming meeting to meet statutory adoption timelines.
