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Board briefed on state policy changes: AI-policy draft due by July 2026 and kindergarten cutoff under HB 114
Summary
Administration presented a draft AI policy (being developed to meet House Bill 96's July 1, 2026 deadline), discussed House Bill 114's kindergarten age standardization (Sept. 30 cutoff cited), and noted the district will host ACT testing though no district-sponsored ACT prep is funded this year.
The Trotwood-Madison City administration told the board it is drafting policies to comply with recent state legislation and will return a vetted AI policy for board adoption in the spring.
Superintendent Howard said House Bill 96 requires Ohio school districts to adopt an AI policy by July 1, 2026. The administration provided a template in the packet and said the draft addresses a policy purpose statement, a definition of artificial intelligence, AI literacy, stakeholder engagement, privacy, evaluation of AI tools and academic integrity and acceptable use for students and staff. Howard said the draft policy is being developed with consultant Eric Brenner and a former dean of technology from Sinclair Community College and will be vetted through the appropriate state review before a formal board adoption in March or April.
The board also discussed House Bill 114, summarized in a briefing from the Ohio Legislative Service Commission, which standardizes kindergarten entry age: Howard indicated the district cutoff is September 30, which could reduce kindergarten enrollment statewide (estimates discussed at the meeting suggested up to 5,000 fewer kindergarten entrants across the state). The district will review continuing-law exceptions for early entrance and notify families of the process.
On testing and preparation, Howard said the district will be an ACT host site and that each junior receives a voucher to take the ACT for free; however, the district is not sponsoring paid ACT-prep this year because prior vendors charged high flat fees (one vendor had charged up to $12,000). Administration will share vendor information and outreach options with families.
What happens next: The administration will continue drafting the AI policy, vet it with state reviewers, and return a recommended policy for the board’s consideration in March or April. The district will monitor enrollment impacts from HB 114 and inform families about early-entry procedures.
