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Kennett SD updates acceptable-use policy to add AI guidance and emphasize teacher discretion on devices
Summary
Technology staff presented revisions to the district's Acceptable Use Policy (Policy 815), adding AI guidelines (noting the guidelines were partially generated with AI), clarifying CIPA filtering obligations, and recommending teacher discretion for in-class personal-device use; board members suggested softening punitive language.
Dan McGuire of the district's technology staff reviewed proposed revisions to Policy 815, a long-standing Acceptable Use Policy, and walked committee members through several notable changes.
McGuire said the district updated the AUP to provide user-friendly guidelines for staff, students and parents and to incorporate guidance about artificial intelligence. "The AI guidelines were partially generated by AI," McGuire said, describing how the draft was reviewed by a think tank and parents and then simplified into student- and parent-friendly guidelines.
He stressed that the AUP will emphasize guidelines and flexibility rather than punitive measures, but also preserves the district's authority to restrict access when necessary. McGuire explained updates to device-management procedures, an approved-device list for personal devices, and the mechanics for principals or building administrators to recommend unblocking instructional websites on a faster timeline.
Board members focused on two practical areas: teacher discretion and wording about consequences. Committee members asked for explicit language that classroom use of cell phones and personal devices be governed by teacher discretion rather than an implied blanket ban; McGuire agreed to clarify that the policy will state teacher discretion for in-class use and to correct a broken policy cross-reference. Ethan Kramer and others asked that the punitive phrasing "failure to comply shall result in usage restrictions" be softened to a discretionary "may" so consequences are not automatic.
The committee also discussed whether to circulate the AUP for a 30-day public review period given the potential for public controversy (cell-phone policy and AI). McGuire said the district plans to continue annual updates as technology evolves.
Next steps: staff will revise language to specify teacher discretion for classroom device use, fix cross-references, consider the proposed public-comment window, and return the edited draft to the board.
