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Parents and residents urge limits on AI use, question Chromebook take‑home for youngest students
Summary
Two Somerville residents told the board they were concerned about the district's AI rubric and mandatory early take‑home Chromebooks, urging clearer vetting, stronger academic‑integrity safeguards and rethinking device policies for kindergarten and first grade.
Two members of the public urged the Somerville Board of Education to tighten rules on classroom artificial‑intelligence use and to reconsider take‑home Chromebooks for young students.
Kevin Rafferty, who identified himself as a Somerville parent and a network manager for another New Jersey school district, told the board the district's AI rubric leaves decisions to teachers and students rather than providing clear prohibitions. He said that approach risks encouraging shortcuts that can undermine social skills, literacy and academic integrity and asked how the district vets AI tools and protects cybersecurity.
"How is the Summerville School District vetting AI tools for the classroom and home use? How is the district ensuring academic integrity?" Rafferty asked.
Matt Eisler, a resident and union carpenter, raised separate but related concerns during public comment about a contractor bid (see separate story). He also said he supported protections that preserve local jobs and apprenticeships tied to referendum projects.
Board leaders acknowledged the questions and encouraged commenters to follow up with district staff. The board president said the AI policy had involved substantial work and recommended Rafferty contact the superintendent and the staff who oversee technology procurement for more detail.
The board later directed the curriculum and technology committee to take up questions about AI use in early grades and Chromebook allocation, and the technology committee said it had already discussed Chromebook policies and planned to survey staff about whether grades 2–5 need take‑home devices. Committee members also noted parent‑control tools (Securely) are available for home filtering.
No formal policy change was adopted at the meeting; the board asked staff and the committee to review the issues and report back.
