Forest Hills board adopts broad policy updates, including new Title IX series and AI rules

The Forest Hills Board of Education voted 5–2 on Aug. 19 to adopt an extensive package of revised and new policies affecting operations, student conduct, employee standards and technology use. The motion to approve Consent Grouping item V.A.2 (board policies) was made by Member Vonck and supported by Member Covelle; Ayes were Michaud, Ninemeier, Vonck, Covelle and Fauson; Nays were DeBoer and Terryn.

The adopted package includes a newly organized Title IX series (3115A–3115H) covering definitions, coordinators, supportive measures, informal resolution, grievance procedures and related training and recordkeeping; a revised Title IX sexual harassment policy (3118); and a new Acceptable Use of Generative AI policy (4229). School-safety and health policies were also updated (for example, renumbering the opioid antagonist policy to 3410), and student conduct sections were revised to address electronic devices and surveillance technologies.

Board members debated whether to delay consideration of the 3000 series (which includes Title IX components); Member DeBoer moved to table those policies until next month, a motion that failed 2–5 with Ayes from DeBoer and Terryn only. Superintendent Ben Kirby had provided an overview of the district’s Title IX responsibilities prior to the vote. The policy package was presented as grouped consent items and approved as part of the consent vote.

Community members raised related concerns during the public-comment period (16 speakers addressed topics including Title IX, book concerns and policy changes), and the board’s action sets the district’s official policy framework going into the 2024–25 school year. The board’s adopted policy list covers multiple sections (2200–5800) and includes both deletions and new policies; the minutes list specific policy numbers adopted or revised.