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Board gives first reading to electronic resources and AI policy; members ask about K–5 opt-outs and data privacy
Summary
The board approved a first reading to update the electronic-resources policy to include artificial intelligence and internet safety, and discussed whether opt-out provisions, K–5 limits and data-privacy protections should be handled in the policy or in procedures.
At its May 28 meeting the Richland School District board gave a first reading to an updated electronic-resources policy that adds artificial intelligence (AI) guidance to the district’s existing electronic-resources and internet-safety policy. The item will return for later consideration after staff finalizes procedures and solicits additional stakeholder feedback.
Staff said the policy text is intentionally procedural-light and that detailed AI guidance, K–5 limitations and data-privacy protections will appear in accompanying procedures based on recent guidance from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and peer districts. Staff noted the procedures include recommended classroom-level practices, an updated acceptable-use agreement and a section on AI that reflects new OSPI guidance.
Board members asked whether the policy should include an opt-out mechanism for families who do not want their children to use district digital resources; staff responded that opt-outs can be disruptive in a classroom setting and suggested the procedures and targeted design would better address K–5 usage and parental concerns. Members also asked for the student-advisory group's review, and staff said the student advisors would see the draft procedures.
Several board members emphasized the pace of change for AI-related practices and asked that the district treat procedures as a living document that will evolve year to year. One board member asked that data privacy and student confidentiality be more explicitly surfaced in the procedure; staff pointed to language in the draft policy that the meeting recorder identified as addressing data privacy, and said the procedures would contain the technical privacy safeguards.
The board moved and carried the first reading of the revised policy. Board members also voted to accept first readings for two additional policies: an update addressing Section 504 and a transitional bilingual-instruction policy; those first readings were recorded without substantive changes.
The board directed staff to circulate the procedures to principals, teachers and the student advisory group and to continue reviewing OSPI guidance as the procedures are finalized. The item will return to the board for subsequent readings when procedures and any redline changes are complete.
