Pelham board opens public hearing on code of conduct; district plans AI guidance and handbook updates

The Pelham Union Free School District on July 15 opened and then closed a public hearing on the draft district code of conduct, noting the document before the board is substantially the same as the version approved the prior year.

Board and staff members said the code already addresses issues such as plagiarism and misuse of technology and that any procedures around cell phones are typically handled through separate policy and student-handbook language rather than embedded directly in the code. One board member noted: implementation around cell phones would appear in the middle- and high-school handbooks rather than as a new code provision.

The district announced it is also studying artificial intelligence in classrooms. The board said Dr. Commerford (district staff lead on instructional technology) has led a summer committee to review AI and that the district is developing best-practice guidance and revising the acceptable-use policy. The board expects guidance for teachers and students to be issued at the start of the school year and later integrated into policy and the code as appropriate.

A member of the public, Greg Farrell of the Pelham Examiner, asked whether recent personnel-related events at a school suggested changes were needed in the code. District leaders replied the code covers expectations and that personnel matters are handled through separate processes; the board declined to respond to personnel questions in the public hearing.

Why it matters: the code of conduct defines expected behavior, disciplinary procedures and the district’s approach to technology misuse; clarifications about cell phones and AI guidance affect day-to-day student expectations and teacher practice.

Next steps: the public comment period for the draft continues and staff will circulate handbook updates, acceptable-use policy guidance and any proposed code changes for board consideration before the start of school.