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School committee amends AHS handbook to add consequence language for students who refuse searches
Summary
The committee voted to amend the Ashland High School student handbook to add specific language allowing consequences when a student refuses a suspected-search; related materials on alternatives to in-school suspension and an AI guidance document were discussed but deferred for later review.
The School Committee voted July 11 to amend language in the Ashland High School student handbook to specify that if staff have a reasonable suspicion of an infraction and a student refuses a requested search, the student may receive consequences consistent with the suspected infraction.
"That is something that we don't use very often, but we wanted to make sure that if we are in the situation of having to search a student for a suspected infraction, and that student refuses that search... we just want to add specific language," said Kelly St. Kerr, Ashland High School principal.
Committee discussion also covered alternatives to one-day in-school suspension. Presenters described a model in which students could remain in classes with defined restrictions and a tracking sheet in place instead of being removed from instruction for the day. Committee members asked whether current handbook language already allows such alternatives and whether the alternative implementation required additional handbook changes; presenters said the handbooks existing language about disciplinary options likely provides discretion but the district would clarify procedures before fall publication.
A district-developed student- and teacher-facing guide about school use of artificial intelligence was reviewed in discussion but not adopted at the meeting. Committee members said they want counsel review and clearer teacher-facing guidance before adding AI guidance to the handbook; the committee suggested approval of the handbook amendment now while the AI guidance is finalized for a possible fall insertion.
The motion to amend the high-school handbooks search-and-consequences language passed by voice vote ("Aye"). The record does not include a roll-call tally.
