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Spring Grove board reviews draft AI policy; baseline: students may not use AI unless teacher permits
Summary
Board staff presented a draft AI policy that sets a baseline of no student use of AI tools unless a teacher explicitly permits a specific, approved tool. The policy includes professional development, approved‑tool lists, and parent outreach.
Board staff introduced a draft artificial‑intelligence policy (policy 815.2) intended to guide how AI tools are used in Spring Grove classrooms.
Chris, the staff lead on the policy, said the draft is the product of several months of committee work involving teachers, administrators, students, parents and legal counsel. He described a multi‑meeting process that reviewed other districts’ policies and tailored a version for Spring Grove.
On the policy’s substance, staff emphasized a conservative baseline: “If a teacher doesn't specifically tell a student that they can use AI on something, it's understood that they can't,” a staff speaker said during the meeting. The policy would allow teachers to identify and permit specific tools for particular lessons; administrators would maintain a list of approved tools tied to grade bands and instructional goals.
Several board members and staff discussed how the policy is meant to enhance instruction rather than replace teachers. Board member Mister Scheer expressed concern that AI could “take over” instruction and create laziness; staff and elementary representatives responded that the intent is to support teachers and to use tools in limited, age‑appropriate ways. An elementary staff voice explained that some generative tools already block under‑13 access and that many uses would be teacher‑directed and limited in elementary grades.
The proposal also calls for professional development for teachers and a parent‑education component; staff suggested creating a short video to explain the policy and make guidance available on the district website. The board discussed next steps and indicated the policy will return for formal consideration at a future voting meeting.
The draft policy is presented as step one; staff said they expect to return with updates as tools and classroom needs change.
