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Board adopts elementary handbook changes that include AI prohibition and new toilet‑training expectation
Summary
Trustees approved a range of elementary handbook revisions: clarified attendance and grievance steps, prohibited unauthorized use of artificial intelligence for academic work, set notification windows and opt‑out for fifth‑grade sexuality lessons, and added a kindergarten toilet‑training expectation except where covered by IEP/504/health plans.
The Whitehall School District board approved revisions to the elementary student handbook that include several procedural clarifications and new expectations for students and families.
Key changes approved include adding a 'portrait of a graduate' statement to the handbook, clarified attendance guidance for parents, and page‑numbered policy updates to align with updated board policy references. On electronic and academic integrity issues, the handbook now explicitly treats unauthorized use of artificial intelligence in academic work as a form of academic dishonesty akin to plagiarism and cheating.
The handbook adds a clear standard on cell phones: students may have a phone on their person only when expressly required by a legal document such as an Individualized Education Program (IEP), a Section 504 plan, a health plan, or as otherwise required by law; otherwise phones are prohibited during the instructional day.
On human sexuality instruction, administrators added a notice requirement so parents are informed no fewer than five and no more than 15 school days before fifth‑grade lessons, enabling families to opt out.
The board also added language recognizing McKinney‑Vento protections for homeless students and clarified that student progress reports will be sent to parents at the end of each quarter.
One of the most discussed additions requires that children enrolling in the elementary early literacy kindergarten program be toilet trained and able to independently manage toileting needs at school, except where exceptions are provided in an IEP, 504 plan or health plan. The handbook states the district will handle occasional accidents with dignity and discretion but will contact parents to assist with changes when a child soils or wets clothing.
"Students enrolling in Whiteall Elementary School's early literacy program in kindergarten are expected to be toilet trained and able to independently manage their toileting needs while at school," the presenter read during the meeting.
A trustee moved to approve the elementary handbook revisions, the motion was seconded, and the trustees approved the changes by voice vote; no separate roll call tally was recorded in the transcript.
