Board adopts electronic-devices and AI policies, tables review of musical policy 2-30

The Northern Lebanon School District board on June 3 approved a new electronic-devices policy and an artificial intelligence policy, and it tabled a separate item on policy 2-30, a policy related to public-performance approvals for school musicals.

Superintendent Dr. Gary Messinger said the electronic-devices policy allows students to use devices on district transportation but requires devices to be put away during instructional hours. "Once they're in the building for their instructional day until they're released for their instructional day, it will have to be, put away," Messinger said. The board discussed possible targeted use of state-provided storage bags for students who struggle to store devices.

On AI, Messinger said the district had no current policy and that the new draft addresses training for staff and parameters for student and staff use. "If you read through that carefully, you'll see lots of things about training for staff and, you know, students understanding, how to use it properly," he said. The board approved both 12.1 (electronic devices) and 12.2 (AI) by voice vote; Director Moyer moved and the motion was seconded. The votes were recorded as unanimous.

Policy 2-30 — which the administration recommended retiring because its current wording appeared focused on musicals and not other performances — was the subject of a separate discussion. The administration said it intended to retire the policy and craft new guidelines, but the board voted unanimously to table the retirement and revisit the item at the August meeting so administrators can prepare revised language and because the superintendent may need to exercise administrative approval over the summer for show selections.

The board did not adopt new language for policy 2-30 at the June 3 meeting; administrators will present revised policy language at a future meeting.