Grafton School Committee gives first reading to AI-use policy, debates scope and teaching guidance

The Grafton School Committee gave a first reading to a newly drafted artificial-intelligence (AI) use policy (JNDB-AI) on April 7, opening an extended discussion about its scope, language and implementation.

Committee members said the district faces a 'wild west' situation for AI use by both students and staff and that a single, clear stance was needed. The draft policy uses a stoplight model to guide acceptable, conditional and prohibited AI uses; committee members described the draft as a starter document intended for revision and noted the district’s reliance on Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) guidance and ongoing DESE materials.

Members pressed for specifics: should the policy address student access for students under COPPA, cite FERPA obligations, or be woven into existing policies and handbooks rather than stand alone? One member suggested changing language that required staff and students to "eliminate bias" and recommended wording that emphasizes identifying or teaching students to recognize bias in AI outputs. The committee also discussed how to treat work produced with AI—when it counts as student work vs. unacceptable academic misconduct—and whether to require source citations for AI-generated content.

The policy was accepted for its first read and will be revised based on committee feedback, with expectations of further staff and student task-force input and additional edits before a final reading. Committee members encouraged ongoing staff training and suggested a review in September once classroom applications and state guidance are clearer.