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Board debates adding generative-AI language to student code of conduct
Summary
At a first reading of the 2026–27 student code of conduct, board members debated clarifying that unauthorized use of generative AI counts as cheating, but several members warned against requiring teachers to enforce detection without reliable tools; staff proposed returning with two draft options before a vote.
Jacqueline Sott, the hearing officer, opened the discussion by presenting the annual review of the student code of conduct for 2026–27 and said no new state legislation required immediate changes to the code.
Board member Miss Presha proposed clarifying the cheating and plagiarism sections to explicitly include unauthorized use of generative artificial intelligence. "I think we should clarify that it's not just people that you're copying from, but also the work of generative AI," she said, urging the board to state expectations clearly for students.
Several board members supported the idea of making expectations explicit while urging alignment with the division's AI regulation. Miss Stevens noted the division already has a regulation that addresses use of AI in schools, and she encouraged the board to review that regulation before finalizing code language.
But other members raised concerns about enforceability. Miss Brown said the board should not place teachers "in the position of making generalizations about a student's piece of work" without supporting tools and procedures. A staff member responding to Brown confirmed the district has tested detection software and "was not satisfied with the results of that demonstration," adding the division does not currently have a reliable software tool in place.
Dr. Newman suggested preparing two versions for the board to consider — one with the clarifying sentences and one without — and bringing both back for the action agenda so the board can decide with fuller information. "Since there's no action being taken tonight, we can keep it as is and make one version because we're just talking about some minor edits," Dr. Newman said.
Board members discussed timing: several said any revision should be completed and mailed to families before the school year begins Aug. 12. Members also stressed the importance of aligning the student code with the district's AI regulation and with forthcoming statewide guidance from the Virginia Department of Education.
The board did not vote on edits at this meeting; Sott and staff will return with draft language and options for formal consideration at a future meeting.
