Board moves electronic-devices policy to second reading after discussion on AI glasses and deepfakes

The Cheshire School District Board of Education discussed revisions to the district’s electronic-devices policy and voted to advance the policy to a second reading after a wide-ranging discussion about classroom use, artificial-intelligence glasses and deep fakes.

A board member introducing the agenda item said the draft would add AI-powered glasses to the list of devices regulated in schools and expand the policy’s definitions to acknowledge rapidly evolving technology. “We had our first pair of glasses about 3 weeks ago, that we had to ask a young man to take off during class,” the speaker said, describing a disciplinary and privacy concern that prompted the change.

The proposed language would treat AI-powered glasses like phones in classrooms: students could use such devices only when directed by a teacher at the high-school level, while access is more restricted for younger students. The presenter said the district is not attempting an outright ban for older students but seeks to limit classroom misuse and preserve instruction time.

Board members raised enforcement questions, particularly around whether the policy should extend phone bans through sophomore year and how to handle device use at school-sponsored public events. One board member suggested explicitly adding “the creation of deep fakes” to the list of prohibited uses; the transcript shows a board member marking that as an insertion to the profanity/obscenity/bullying language and the presenter accepting the suggestion.

The board also discussed curriculum responses and staff training. The presenter said faculty and district staff had received an AI presentation from EdAdvance and that curriculum leaders were reviewing materials to teach responsible use in health and other classes.

When asked about next steps, a board member moved to advance the electronic-devices policy for a second reading. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript. The packet item is identified in the meeting as Policy 5131.81, Electronic Devices.

Board members signaled willingness to revisit and refine the policy as technology and state guidance evolve; the presenter advised pausing some related policy changes while awaiting updated legal guidance from the district’s attorneys.

The board’s action advances the draft policy for further consideration at a future meeting; the transcript records the voice approval but does not show a recorded roll-call vote total.