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Board to consider first reading of revised smart-device policy; AI guidance and plagiarism rule also discussed
Summary
Verona's board heard that the smart-device committee completed revisions and that a formal policy will be presented for first reading next meeting; the superintendent said the district's AI guidance focuses on teaching appropriate use while plagiarism rules will be cross-referenced to AI policy.
The Verona Board of Education was told Feb. 11 that the district's smart-device policy committee completed its work and that a revised policy and corresponding regulation will be presented for first reading at the board's next meeting.
Superintendent said the revision is intended to formalize current practice and ensure consistent implementation across schools. She described the elementary rule as more restrictive (phones remain in backpacks or containers for the full day) and said secondary students may use phones for limited functions outside instructional time but should have devices put away during class. "It's not aspecific as the legislation was, so we're good there," she said when explaining how board rules relate to recent state changes allowing electronic posting of notices.
Board members asked whether the committee's work would create a stand-alone policy or revise the existing electronic-communications policy; the superintendent said it will be a revision of the current policy and regulation, not a wholly new code.
The board also discussed AI policy guidance after a member asked how Verona's approach compared with recommendations from law firm Strauss Esmay. The superintendent said Verona's policy centers on teaching students to use AI appropriately ("like a calculator and a spell check") and that the district adjusted its plagiarism policy to refer to the AI guidance rather than treating all AI use as cheating. The district plans workshops on responsible AI use for staff and during EdCamp in March.
No formal vote was taken; the first reading of the revised device policy will appear on the next meeting agenda.
