Committee reviews revised policies on AI, social media and student records; items to appear on consent agenda

On March 3 the Wallingford Instructional Committee reviewed second-read revisions to several district policies covering employee and student computer/internet use, social media, and confidentiality of educational records; staff said the items will move to the board consent agenda at the end of the month.

The packet included: a staff computer systems and Internet safety policy that adds language prohibiting disruptive or unauthorized use of generative artificial intelligence on district systems; a social-media policy clarifying categories of employee social-media use and adding guidance prompted by a 2024 U.S. Supreme Court decision; a confidentiality and access to educational records policy that clarifies the district’s Title IX coordinator has a legitimate educational interest in records when performing investigative duties; and the student-version of the district computer-systems policy reflecting state statutory changes to terminology regarding harmful material.

"We have worked really hard to, as a district, to begin, providing staff professional development in the area of AI and how to best use it as a teaching tool," Mrs. Latour said. She added the staff policy does not ban AI outright but prohibits "unauthorized" uses that disrupt operations or violate law. Several board members asked about balancing restrictions with teaching opportunities; Latour and other staff said the district is offering professional development and piloting instructional uses of generative AI while preserving limits for inappropriate or illegal applications.

The social-media regulation was revised to reflect attorney guidance about distinguishing personal from official uses, with specific language added after the 2024 Supreme Court ruling that can treat some public-employee posts as mixed-use. A board member asked for small technical edits and questioned a phrase that references "other affiliations" (for example, "a scout troop, religious affiliation or community organization"); staff said attorneys recommended the language to provide clarifying examples and that the policy committee did not independently add it.

On student records, staff said they consulted attorneys during shifting federal Title IX guidance; the policy now explicitly lists the Title IX coordinator among school officials with a legitimate educational interest when performing investigative duties, consistent with the 2020 Title IX framework the district follows. The student computer-systems policy was updated to reflect a change in Connecticut statute terminology and to add a prohibition on unauthorized use of generative AI via district systems.

Staff said these revised policies will appear on the board meeting consent agenda at the end of the month and no final action was taken at this committee meeting. The committee asked clarifying questions and requested a few minor technical edits; staff said attorneys prepared several of the substantive language changes.

Ending: The policies will go to the full board consent agenda with staff-prepared memos and technical edits; staff will continue professional development for administrators and teachers about responsible, curriculum-connected uses of generative AI.