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Board gives unanimous first reading to new AI policy, forms ongoing task force oversight
Summary
The Stratford Board of Education approved a first reading of a district AI policy developed by an AI task force; the document ties into FERPA, COPPA and IDEA guidance and establishes oversight, procurement and continuous review provisions.
The Stratford Board of Education gave unanimous approval to a first reading of a district policy governing use of artificial intelligence in schools, advancing a measure the board’s policy committee recommended after months of task-force work.
The policy, drafted by an AI task force that included teachers, administrators, parents and board members, defines basic guardrails for staff and student uses, highlights sample permitted classroom activities, and directs the district to maintain ongoing procurement, privacy and data-security reviews. During the presentation, the staff lead described the policy as intentionally flexible: “It needs to remain fluid because this is discussing a platform and a resource that is constantly changing,” the presenter said.
Board members and task-force participants told the meeting the policy draws on multiple sources to establish its legal and operational footing. In the meeting, presenters said they referenced guidance from the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, the state’s AI workforce policy, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to shape the policy’s privacy, procurement and special-education protections.
Board members described the task force as intentionally broad. One participant said the task force includes technology advocates and nontechnical voices: the group “was large enough to get a voice from everyone,” and it established three subcommittees on policy, professional development and communications, the participant said.
The policy also proposes an ongoing AI task force that will report regularly to the board’s policy committee with recommended purchases, changes and training plans. Presenters and board members stressed the policy is a starting point to guide professional development, parent communications and future policy updates.
The board approved the first read by voice vote. Motion to accept the AI policy as a first read was moved by Mr. O’Brien and seconded by Mr. Cormier; the motion passed unanimously.
Ending: The policy advances to the board’s next policy steps; the AI task force and the policy subcommittee will continue work on professional development, communications and aligned policy edits.
