Amherst board asks tech committee to review AI policy annually

A board member said the Amherst Central School District should review its artificial intelligence policy every year and asked the technology committee to monitor changes in the field and recommend revisions to the policy committee.

The suggestion came during board and committee reports when a member said, “we need to update the district AI policy annually,” and asked whether the board needed a formal vote to place that review before next year’s policy committee meetings. A board member replied that it could be recorded as a follow-up action item and that the district typically waits for updates from policy services but could schedule a review in advance.

The board discussed risks of quickly evolving AI tools. One board member said the policy's original language was intentionally broad so it would not become immediately out of date, but acknowledged the pace of change means periodic review could help mitigate implementation mistakes. Another board member suggested the technology committee formally adopt the review as an annual goal and, if revisions are recommended, forward them to the superintendent and the policy committee for consideration.

Superintendent Dr. Shanahan and staff did not propose immediate revisions at the meeting; instead, the board agreed to make the tech committee the point of contact to monitor AI developments and bring suggested changes to the policy committee. No formal motion or vote to amend district policy was made at the meeting.

Board direction: the technology committee will track AI developments and present suggested revisions to the policy committee if warranted.