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Board adopts handbook updates: AI flagged as academic dishonesty; Latin honors and discipline clarifications added
Summary
The board approved multiple handbook revisions across elementary and high-school levels: new language treating unauthorized AI use as academic dishonesty, clarified dress-code and discipline matrices, Latin-honors GPA thresholds, and updated bus and check-in policies; staff will publicize parent consent and high-impact tutoring options.
Board members reviewed and approved a series of handbook updates across grade levels, including new language addressing artificial intelligence, discipline clarifications, and academic pathways. The elementary handbook now states that "AI being used without permission will result in a case of academic dishonesty," and the high-school handbook adds Latin-honors designations with GPA thresholds for cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude.
Administrators described other changes: revised pickup procedures (students picked up through the car rider line after 3:30 p.m.), clarifications on dress-code expectations (removing the mid-thigh phrasing in favor of "slightly above the knee"), and an updated discipline matrix that moves certain behaviors among offense levels and defines when in-school suspension (ISS) may be assigned. Staff also summarized bus conduct rules and noted that extracurricular consent forms remain required for AAA activities.
Trustees discussed how virtual/Concurrent courses (Virtual Arkansas) fit into schedules and asked staff to ensure parents are informed about high-impact tutoring grants and intervention time during the school day. The board approved the handbooks and related policy changes by motion and voice vote; staff said buildings will present more detailed, grade-level data and procedural notices to parents in August.
