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School committee approves student-family handbook with new AI guidelines and curriculum opt-out language
Summary
The committee approved the 2526 student-family handbook after leadership highlighted acceptable-use updates, added AI guidelines and a targeted curriculum opt-out clause tied to a recent Supreme Court decision.
The Rockport School Committee voted to approve the "2526 student family handbook" at its Aug. 20 meeting after central-office staff described policy updates and legal-driven edits.
Mark Branko and Jody Goodhue summarized the revisions: the handbook will be maintained as a digital document with hyperlinks; it includes updated acceptable-use language for digital resources and newly added guidelines about generative AI; and the district updated a curriculum opt-out provision in response to a Supreme Court decision in July. Goodhue characterized the opt-out change as a narrow, attorney-drafted provision intended for "very special" circumstances rather than a broad right to remove students from curriculum.
"One of the big changes is the acceptable use of digital resources...we also added the AI guidelines," Goodhue said. She added that the opt-out language was drafted with the district's special-education attorney and is limited in scope: "It's for a very special circumstance...there are limited circumstances when a principal would approve that opt out."
Chair Amy Oakes asked for a motion to approve the handbook; the committee moved and seconded the motion and members voted in favor. The transcript records the motion and two recorded 'Aye' votes on the motion, and the chair declared the motion carries. Officials said the handbook will be used to open the school year and include digital parent/family sign-offs.
