Board committees recommend new language arts curriculum and AI academic policies

The Flemington-Raritan Regional School District’s instruction committee presented and approved a revised language arts curriculum designed to comply with updated New Jersey student learning standards, and the policy committee recommended new district policies covering acceptable use of generative artificial intelligence and academic integrity.

Dr. Michelle Cook presented the language arts changes to the instruction committee and the committee voted to approve the curriculum. The committee also reviewed summer professional learning offerings and noted that presenter preparation and facilitation hours are included in the 2025–26 budget proposals. The committee discussed potential positions for 2025–26 — including support teachers, gifted and talented teachers, intervention specialists and a math coach — while stressing the balance between instructional needs and fiscal constraints.

Separately, the policy committee met June 2 and recommended that the operations committee and business administrator review policy 6220 (budget preparation) for handling zero-balance budgets and clarifying use of surplus. The committee recommended adoption of policy 2365, Acceptable Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence, and policy 5701, Academic Integrity, to guide student use of AI in academic settings. The committee also reviewed proposed updates to policies on electronic communication devices and transportation policies, including courtesy bussing revisions.

Committees said these policies and the curriculum revisions are intended to be in place for the 2025–26 school year pending final board action and budget approval; the instruction committee scheduled a follow-up on July 17 and the policy committee on July 14.