Board reviews activity fee increase and policy updates on electronic devices, academic integrity and grievance process

The Haddonfield Board of Education reviewed first readings on several policies affecting students and families, and discussed a proposed change to the activities participation fee schedule.

Board members discussed the activities participation fee proposal, which the presenter said would raise the middle school single‑student fee to $100 with a family cap of $150. The transcript lists a proposed high‑school single‑student fee of $150; the multi‑student amount for the high school was unclear in the recorded remarks and is not specified in the transcript materials reviewed by the board during the meeting. A board member noted the fee had not been increased since 2009 and suggested including clearer communication to parents about what the fee covers.

Board staff also presented first readings of policy 5516 (use of electronic communication devices), which includes specific prohibitions on recording without consent and clarifies exceptions (for example, IEP accommodations); policy 701 (academic integrity), which the board said will be further developed in the coming months to address artificial intelligence and citation of sources; and policy 5710 (student grievance), which the presenter said clarifies a multi‑level appeals process with timelines. Board members were told that further work on an AI framework for grades 6–12 is expected within six to 12 months.

These items were presented as first readings and informational discussion; no final action or vote was taken on the policy changes during this session. Board members asked staff to include additional explanatory material for public communication (for example, what the activities fee covers) before a future second reading.

No statutes or external legal authorities were cited in the meeting transcript beyond the district policy numbers referenced in the agenda materials.