Holmdel superintendent outlines new start times, AI disclosure policy and tighter cell-phone enforcement as school year opens

Dr. Scott Cascone, superintendent of the Holmdel Township School District, told the board the district is prepared to open next week with new coordinated start times for middle and high school, a disclosure requirement for classroom uses of artificial intelligence and a renewed emphasis on consistent cell‑phone enforcement.

Cascone said the district will combine middle- and high-school scheduling this year and delay the high-school start time; the district has coordinated traffic plans with local law enforcement, including Chief Alaco and Officer Manosky, to direct traffic at building entrances and encourage bus ridership to reduce campus congestion. "We're going to have a lot of human resources on-site, early and often to do everything we can to facilitate that," Cascone said.

Why it matters: The scheduling change is described as a historic operational shift for the district that affects nearly 3,000 students and about 500 staff. The board and administration emphasized safety and logistics (traffic direction, additional tables for cafeteria space) and asked administrators to track punctuality and engagement metrics after the change.

Cascone summarized the district's approach to cell phones as deliberately moderate: the board stopped short of a total ban but has strengthened codes of conduct and will pursue consistent enforcement, especially in K-8. "While the board and the administration had have stopped short of imposing a total ban, we obviously have what really amounts to a ban in K-8," he said, urging parental partnership to support compliance.

On artificial intelligence, Cascone said Holmdel enacted an AI policy and provided administrative training over the summer; staff who received training will help turn materials into guidance for teachers. The policy requires disclosure when AI is used in instruction or grading: "Because the policy requires us to disclose if it's used, I think that becomes a really good litmus test of whether you want to use it," Cascone said.

Board members asked for clarity about goal metrics mentioned in the superintendent's report. When a board member asked whether a target described as "minimum 5%" meant 5 percentage points or 5 percent of a prior value, Cascone corrected a separate survey target and said the intent was a 5-point change on that survey measure.

What happens next: Administrators will implement on-site traffic plans and monitor start-of-year indicators such as tardiness and classroom engagement; the board asked the administration to report back on those metrics. The district also will continue to refine AI guidance and rollout materials for staff and students.

Sources: Remarks and Q&A during Dr. Cascone's superintendent report to the Holmdel Township School District Board of Education (opening and superintendent segments).