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School committee adopts 2025-26 student handbook updates covering technology, absences and AI
Summary
The Plymouth School Committee unanimously approved the 2025-26 student handbook with a range of revisions including updated acceptable use and AI language, changes to student registration and excused-absence guidance, and new language on electronic devices and stimulants.
The Plymouth School Committee voted unanimously Monday evening to approve the district's 2025-26 student handbook with multiple updates to student- and family-facing policies.
Doctor Rogers, who presented the revisions, told the committee the changes included an expanded acceptable-use policy and reorganized technology provisions. "It's a little bit longer. We had a lot of updates in our acceptable use policy. Just when I think we have it all figured out, the kids have us beat," Rogers said during the presentation.
Key updates approved by the committee include: - Technology and acceptable use: technology sections were consolidated into a single appendix; updated guidance on student Google Workspace accounts, endpoint security and unacceptable uses such as VPNs and smart glasses that can covertly record. - Artificial intelligence: new language that treats AI as a learning and study aid while cautioning against using AI to complete assessments or produce uncredited student work; the policy is described in the meeting as a "living" area that will be revisited regularly. - Attendance and registration: clarifications on student registration documentation and a proposed tightening of guidance around excused absences and physician notes; committee members asked for additional policy review to balance medical access and the need to limit extended undocumented absenteeism. - Student conduct and privileges: principals were given explicit authority to restrict participation in school activities for disciplinary reasons, with committee members asking that families be notified in advance when possible. - Health and nutrition updates: updated guidelines on snacks and a ban of certain energy-style stimulant drinks and nonprescribed stimulants during the school day.
Committee members discussed several revisions at length, asking administrators to revisit the excused-absence language for medical documentation and to ensure accessibility exceptions for wearable devices used for documented student needs. After discussion, Miss Bryant moved to approve the handbook with the presented revisions; the motion was seconded and the committee recorded a unanimous roll-call vote in favor.
Rogers and staff will finalize the handbook to reflect the agreed clarifications and prepare it for publication and printing for the 2025-26 school year.
