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Board reviews AI classroom guidance and contemplates phased 'bell-to-bell' phone restrictions at high school
Summary
The board discussed an AI policy that defaults to 'prohibited unless permitted by the teacher' for 11 identified classroom AI uses and a policy committee recommendation to phase in a bell-to-bell cell-phone restriction in the high school similar to middle-school practice; public commenters urged student input on phone limits.
The education and policy committees reported updates on two policy areas: classroom use of artificial intelligence and student electronic-device rules.
AI policy: The education committee described a draft approach that identifies 11 ways AI might be used in classrooms and sets a default of 'prohibited unless specifically permitted by the teacher' for those uses. Committee members said teachers and supervisors will determine permitted uses by assignment or department and professional development is ongoing; students are reported to be using AI primarily for study guides and test preparation. The district is exploring whether to standardize on specific platforms and whether to adopt regulated, education-focused chatbots in the future.
Phone-use policy: The policy committee recommended moving toward a bell-to-bell cell-phone restriction in the high school similar to the current Timberlane middle-school practice, but suggested an incremental approach with student voice and operational planning before full implementation. The proposed regulation would limit phone use during class time, study hall and recitation and leave lunch and transitions as phased implementation points. A public commenter raised concerns about limiting access during transitions—pointing to QR codes used for substitute-teacher location information—and urged the board to keep students’ needs and group work in mind.
The board advanced several policies and regulations to first and second readings during the meeting and approved certain items on second reading via roll-call. Committee chairs emphasized continued outreach to students and staff before any final bell-to-bell change at the high school.
Next steps: policy committee will gather student input and return with implementation details and any recommended regulatory language prior to a final board decision.
