Manhasset board asks professional learning committee for AI plan and classroom guardrails

Board members pressed the district’s professional learning committee to produce a clear, short recommendation on how the district should approach artificial intelligence in instruction.

Trustees and committee members said the staff should present a one-page summary at the committee meeting planned for May 19 that outlines the committee’s charge, what information the board needs and suggested guardrails for classroom use. The board emphasized two priorities: “empowerment” training for staff and concrete plans for how AI use would translate into classroom practice, including ethical boundaries and academic integrity safeguards.

Dr. Posse said the district’s acceptable-use policy currently does not allow student use of AI and that the committee should explore how the policy might evolve to support instructional innovation while preserving academic standards. Committee members reported they have tested several platforms for compliance with education privacy rules, including Brisk, Magic School and Conmigo; they also noted work with MIT’s Day of AI curriculum and an upcoming June 30 professional development session hosted with MIT on safe, ethical K–12 AI use.

Board members asked the committee to include suggested phasing (pilot areas where vetted tools might be used and areas for watchful waiting), examples of both successes and failures, and a proposed cadence for continuous quality improvement. One trustee requested that the committee also describe options for staff or departments that choose not to use AI so those units have alternative instructional approaches.

The committee agreed to return with a written summary at the next committee meeting and with policy recommendations the board’s policy committee can consider.