Hoosac Valley Regional adopts handbook updates, adds AI language and revised Title IX wording

The Hoosac Valley Regional School Committee voted Aug. 25 to adopt a package of handbook and policy changes recommended by the policy subcommittee. Committee member Adam Emerson said the updates include revised Title IX language (the minutes reference a recent case), new language addressing the use of artificial intelligence in high-school academic integrity, and a revised middle-school cell-phone policy aimed at clarifying staff expectations and discipline options. Legal counsel reviewed the changes, the minutes say, and the subcommittee described them as consistent with Massachusetts regulations.

Emerson told the committee the expectations set forth are standard across the Commonwealth and intended to help staff hold students accountable for inappropriate phone use during school hours. The committee approved the handbook updates on a unanimous vote after a motion by Erin Milne and second by John Duval.

The minutes name the motivating court matter as the "Mahoud case." That name appears as written in the minutes; the committee minutes do not provide a citation. The minutes also reference legal counsel and Massachusetts regulations but do not list specific statutory citations or the exact policy language adopted. The record indicates the changes were circulated as a "Handbook Update" handout and reviewed in committee.

Next steps: The policy update was adopted at the Aug. 25 meeting; the minutes do not specify an effective date for the updated handbook items or whether district staff will provide training or distribution to parents.