Southern York County School Board adopts generative AI policy, directs inventory and parental consent process

The Southern York County School District Board of Education on Aug. 14 approved Policy 8.15.1, governing the district's use of generative artificial intelligence in classrooms and district systems. The vote followed more than two hours of discussion about age restrictions, parental consent, an inventory of tools and how the district will vet AI components added to existing software.

The policy requires administrators to compile an inventory of generative-AI features and tools currently in use across the district and to evaluate each tool for age appropriateness and student-data risk before authorization for use. The policy also directs administrators to obtain prior informed consent from parents or guardians when a tool’s terms of service or the intended classroom use requires it, and to post an approved list of generative-AI tools on the district website.

Personnel and Policy Committee Chair Samantha Hall introduced the policy as a second reading and put the motion to approve. Superintendent Robert Bryson and other district administrators described how the list will be assembled and reviewed by principals, technology staff and instructional…