Manhasset schools adopt AI guidelines, training and summer program as trustees emphasize cautious rollout

District staff reported on what administrators called a cautious, community‑driven approach to classroom uses of artificial intelligence and on plans to expand teacher and student training.

Rebecca, who led the AI update for the district, summarized the year’s work: an Oct. 8 AI town hall, updates to acceptable‑use and academic‑integrity policies to incorporate AI parameters, an AI confidence survey for faculty and model training days with BOCES. “AI is a tool. It's never a replacement for thinking,” Rebecca said, describing the district’s focus on critical thinking, cybersecurity review of software, and gradual rollout with teacher supervision.

The district said approved classroom programs this year included NotebookLM, Canva and Padlet for teacher training, while coding and competitive teams will use AI tools more directly. Staff also cited partnerships with Day of AI and membership in the New York State Artificial Intelligence Consortium as sources of training content.

Administrators described a planned two‑week summer AI program hosted at Manhasset for rising ninth‑grade students, led by instructors affiliated with Stanford, MIT and other institutions; registration was open and staff said financial assistance would be available for families with need.

Trustees praised the process and the AI subcommittee that included students, parents, teachers and outside experts. Board members said the district’s emphasis on stakeholder input and teacher training made them comfortable with the measured rollout and with department‑level AI use statements that will appear in September course descriptions.

What happens next: departments will prepare discipline‑specific AI use statements for the secondary curriculum this summer; staff will continue training offerings and publish family resources and an instructional hub online.