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Board approves cell-phone and anti-hate policies, tables AI purchase for policy study session
Summary
Trustees adopted a high-school mobile-device policy and a hate-motivated behavior/anti-racist policy; purchase of district AI licenses was tabled until the board study session on AI and staff will prepare draft district AI guidelines.
The Salinas Union High School District Board of Trustees approved multiple policy changes June 17, including a newly extended mobile-communication policy for high schools and a hate-motivated behavior policy that incorporates previously developed handbook material.
Staff described BP 5131.8 as a high-school extension of the middle-school approach (a pilot informed by Yondr pouch use). Under the adopted language, the district would limit routine in-class phone use to assignment-related activities and permit use before and after school, during lunch, and during transitions between periods. Trustees debated enforceability and asked that a standing committee—composed of administrators, teachers, students, coaches and parents—review implementation and produce an evaluation of academic effects. The board approved the policy by voice vote; staff said changes can be revisited after pilot implementation.
On BP 5145.9, trustees approved a hate-motivated behavior/anti-racist policy that staff said merges consultant materials and district work into a single policy framework. Public comment from Chris Pereira, president of LULAC Council 2055, urged the board to adopt the policy and noted the 2021 black-doll incident that spurred community demands for stronger accountability; trustees adopted the policy by voice vote.
A separate proposal to buy up to 50 Claude AI licenses prompted extensive discussion. Staff described a controlled pilot to compare AI platforms and said protecting student data is a primary concern; trustees said they want a district policy before scaling AI access. Several trustees favored delaying the purchase until the board completes a policy study session; the board voted to table the AI procurement and attach it to the upcoming policy discussion so staff can present recommended safeguards and responsible-use rules before further purchases.
Trustees said the approvals and the AI postponement reflect a cautious approach: adopt policy guardrails now for student safety and equity while piloting technology under explicit rules.
