Board advances policy revisions, discusses AI classroom guidance and driver alcohol thresholds

Board members held a second reading of draft policy revisions and discussed two policy areas that drew extended attention: AI use in classrooms and blood-alcohol thresholds for drivers.

The board received the revisions from NEOLA and staff. Administrators described two separate AI-related policies: one addressing academic integrity and acceptable AI use and another addressing disciplinary consequences for misuse. Staff said they've run professional-development sessions for teachers and intend for assignment design and prewriting/revision work to be a primary defense against academic misuse.

On device controls, the board heard that the district will manage which AI tools can run on district Chromebooks. The treasurer said the district plans to allow the Gemini tool on managed Chromebooks while blocking other AI tools; staff emphasized that Gemini will provide ideas and guidance but the district will block tools that could automatically generate full student papers on managed devices.

Members also asked about policy language that refers to blood-alcohol levels for CDL and non‑CDL drivers. Staff said many of the policy changes are driven by state law or recommended changes from NEOLA and that some adjustments (for example allowing small buffers for trace alcohol) aim to avoid false positives from incidental exposure. The board asked staff to confirm statutory references and to ensure policy language aligns with state law before final approval.

The second read covered other transportation and financial policy edits as well; the board indicated it expects final approval at the next meeting after staff confirms citations and provides any required clarifications in the draft handbook and policies.