Board approves AI and graduation policies, teacher union and admin contracts, and early-childhood grant action

The New Britain Board of Education took multiple formal actions at its Jan. 7 meeting: it adopted a new artificial-intelligence policy, codified graduation requirements for the class of 2023 and beyond (including state FAFSA-related items), approved a negotiated contract with Local 871 (the teachers’ union) and approved contracts for unaffiliated central-office administrators, and approved a motion related to an Office of Early Childhood grant to create additional early-childhood program slots.

Nut graf: Several items were presented and voted on in full session; the AI policy and graduation-requirements policy followed committee review, and contract approvals came after executive-session negotiations. The board recorded routine approvals of minutes, personnel transactions and the consent agenda as part of the meeting.

Policy 6310 (artificial intelligence): The board voted to approve board policy 6310, which the policy committee had reviewed as a starting framework for AI use in classrooms and staff work. Board discussion noted the policy is intended as a groundwork document; members asked policy committee follow-up on academic integrity (cheating), disciplinary links and clarifying consequences for misuse such as deep fakes and harassment. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

Policy 6146/42 (graduation requirements for class of 2023 and beyond): The board voted to approve updated graduation-requirements policy to codify current practice and align with state statute; discussion clarified FAFSA completion and waiver procedures. A board member asked about how waivers will be applied and how parents will be notified; administrators said the policy largely formalizes existing practice. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

Contracts and labor actions: After executive session, the board voted to approve a contract with Local 871 (the New Britain Federation of Teachers). Board members said the negotiated contract was ‘‘fair’’ and reasonable compared with neighboring districts. The board also approved contracts for unaffiliated central-office administrators. Outcome: both approved (voice votes).

Early-childhood grant motion: The board approved a motion to accept a grant in the Office of Early Childhood to create additional early-childhood spaces in response to increased enrollment; the item was moved through the full agenda because of the potential to open program slots. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

Other routine business: The board approved minutes from Dec. 2, accepted personnel transactions and extracurricular appointments, approved the consent agenda and moved into and out of an executive session to discuss Local 871 negotiations.

Ending: The board directed administration to continue work on implementing policies and to return with clarifications requested by the policy committee (notably academic-integrity links to AI policy) and with next steps on early-childhood grant implementation and contract administration.