Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Policy And Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Westerville board holds first readings on NIL and AI rules and approves routine purchases and contracts
Summary
At its June 8 meeting, the Westerville Schools Board held first readings on a name‑image‑likeness (NIL) athletics policy, an artificial‑intelligence policy and an information‑security update; the board also approved minutes, purchase orders, personnel items, the Licking County RESC contract and other routine actions by unanimous vote.
The Westerville Schools Board of Education on June 8 took first steps on several policy items related to athletics, technology and data security while approving routine business and contracts.
Mr. Reeves presented a first reading of policy 2431.06 to provide local guidance on name, image and likeness (NIL) activity for student athletes following the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s November 2025 emergency bylaw permitting NIL deals for high‑school athletes. "This includes payments for appearances, licensing, social media content, endorsements, and other forms of personal branding linked to their public recognition," Reeves said. He told the board the district will direct families and coaches to OHSAA’s NIL resource center and will include NIL guidance in pre‑season parent meetings. Reeves said OHSAA had received only about 45 NIL contracts to date, generally small agreements with local businesses.
Mr. Stifler presented a proposed revision to policy 7540.09 on artificial intelligence, saying the updates align district rules with state legislation and vendor guidance. The draft policy would define AI terms, create an AI workgroup, set procurement and evaluation standards, spell out acceptable and ethical uses for staff and students, require training, and address student‑data privacy. When asked whether students can access outside AI tools on district Chromebooks, Stifler said the district has approved Google’s Gemini for staff and student use under a data‑privacy agreement and has restricted access to other outside AI tools on district devices and networks.
Stifler also presented proposed changes to policy 8305 to bring the district’s information‑security program into compliance with House Bill 96. That revision would commit the district to adopt a cybersecurity program aligned with NIST and CIS standards, clarify incident reporting to state authorities and the community, and require a formal cybersecurity policy adoption later in the month.
On procedural and fiscal matters the board approved the minutes of the May 11, 2026 meeting, then‑and‑now purchase orders for nursing services, technology repairs and disability transportation (budgeted items), a large personnel consent agenda that included dozens of hires and resignations, consulting contracts, the Licking County RESC general‑services contract, the 2027 Westerville Public Library tax budget, and a settlement agreement. Each recommended action recorded unanimous 'yes' votes by the board members recorded in roll call.
The meeting concluded with board comments, meeting scheduling and a motion to enter executive session for negotiations, public‑employee compensation and security details.
