School committee conducts first readings of data-retention, artificial-intelligence and field-trip policies

The Hingham School Committee on May 5 conducted first readings of three policy drafts: EHB (data and records retention), IJNDG (artificial intelligence) and IJOA (field trips).

Allison Anderson, newly elected secretary of the committee, explained that the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) supplies model policy language the district reviews. Anderson said the new EHB policy clarifies that the superintendent is the custodian of the committee’s public records. "There wasn't one, so basically everything you do is public and is part of the public record," she said, noting a single redline change to specify the superintendent as custodian.

The IJNDG artificial-intelligence policy is intentionally high level, committee members said, to avoid prescriptive language that could quickly become outdated. Its purpose is to acknowledge growing influence of digital tools and direct the district to develop procedures that align with the policy.

The proposed change to IJOA (field trips) would allow the superintendent to approve out-of-state, overnight or tournament-related trips in advance — for example, approving a seasonal slate of competition entries so late requests do not require a special committee meeting. Committee members requested that the superintendent report approved last-minute trips back to the committee periodically (for example, at the end of a quarter or by a regular list) so members can track them.

These items were presented as first reads; the committee will hold a second reading and vote at a subsequent meeting.