Committee reviews acceptable-use AI attachment and weighs 'Welcoming Schools' policy

The Radnor policy committee on Feb. 10 reviewed policy 815 (acceptable use of technology) and discussed a proposed new policy option labeled 'Welcoming Schools' (5.02).

Chair Janie Lau noted that policy 815 contains an AI attachment and specific examples but applies primarily to district‑issued devices and networks; she said the policy does not fully cover personal devices used off campus. Committee members agreed the attachment is a helpful model but identified a gap for off‑device or cloud‑native content and asked for coordination among the bullying, harassment and acceptable‑use policies to address crosscutting issues.

Teachers and student/faculty liaisons emphasized education and age-appropriate assemblies. Faculty liaison Janae Peterson and student liaison Lucy Lasso urged concrete examples and consequences be shared with students, and staff encouraged ongoing training and prompt communication to parents about severe incidents.

On the proposed Welcoming Schools policy, Chair Lau said such a policy would reaffirm the district’s commitment to protect students’ right to an education regardless of background and argued that policy codification makes it easier to find and rely on over time than a resolution. Members expressed substantial support for the concept but disagreed about whether the district should adopt it as a formal policy or a resolution; they asked administration to prepare draft language and referenced existing examples from Norristown Area School District and larger systems for comparison.

No final action was taken; administrators and counsel were asked to produce draft redlines and sample policies for future committee review.