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Paradise Valley board reviews wide-ranging handbook revisions including AI, attendance and search rules
Summary
At first reading the board reviewed proposed 2026—2027 family-student handbook changes: expanded digital-citizenship language covering AI and wearables, clarified attendance/full-day definitions, new assessment and hours-of-operation guidance, updated search-and-seizure and chronic-illness language; staff will return with redline edits June 4.
The Paradise Valley Unified School District presented a first reading of proposed revisions to the 2026—2027 family-student handbook that would clarify attendance rules, add an assessment section, expand digital-citizenship guidance (including artificial intelligence and wearable devices), and refine language on search-and-seizure, extracurricular eligibility and chronic-illness processes.
Dr. Chris Hosman, who led the handbook-review committee, described the multi-stakeholder process and said the committee approved a redline draft after several meetings. Among the noteworthy recommended changes are the definition of a "full day" for attendance and a requirement that students be present for at least 50% of the academic day to participate in that day's extracurricular activity unless pre-arranged with site administration.
The committee proposed expanded digital-citizenship language to address smart glasses and other wearables, artificial-intelligence concerns (including prohibited AI-generated deep fakes) and an explicit statement that the district may use a range of tools to monitor on-campus student digital use for safety, privacy and academic-integrity reasons.
The proposed handbook also clarifies that student vehicles parked on campus may be searched if reasonable suspicion exists that contraband (weapons, drugs or other prohibited items) is present. The committee additionally recommended adding a more detailed chronic-illness section and specifying how external transcripts are evaluated for transfer students.
Board members asked staff to refine several passages. Dr. Lim urged the handbook language on chronic illness be revised to avoid penalizing families who face sudden, severe medical emergencies; Dr. Lim described a personal-family medical emergency to illustrate how retroactive restrictions could harm families. Board members also asked for clearer guidance about student-fee hardship processes, how "hate speech" is defined and exceptions to the 50% attendance rule for pre-scheduled medical appointments.
Staff response and next steps: Dr. Hosman and leaders said they would incorporate suggested clarifications into a blue-line revision and return the proposed handbook for action on June 4.
