Artificial Intelligence Board Policy

1) Purpose and Scope

The District supports the safe, ethical, equitable, transparent, and effective use of artificial intelligence (“AI”), including generative and agentic systems, to enhance teaching, learning, and District operations while maintaining human responsibility and oversight (“human inquiry → AI support → human reflection and decision”).

The Board of Education recognizes the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support and enhance student learning, increase educator effectiveness, and improve the efficiency of District operations. The District is committed to the responsible, ethical, transparent, and equitable integration of AI. The District’s electronic network remains part of the curriculum, not a public forum, and all use of AI must align with existing acceptable-use requirements.

This policy applies to the use of AI Tools on District devices, accounts, and networks, all student use of AI Tools related to schoolwork and school activities, and all employee use of AI Tools related to District work or business.

This policy establishes the framework for developing, implementing, and overseeing the use of AI to ensure it aligns with the District's educational philosophy, complies with all applicable laws, protects student and staff data, and prepares students for a future in which AI is prevalent. AI, Generative AI, Agentic AI, and similar tools are changing rapidly, and this policy will need periodic review to remain current and relevant.

This policy supplements other existing Board policies, including, but not limited to, those governing electronic networks, student data privacy and security, student behavior, and employee conduct.

2) Definitions

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Machine-based systems that generate outputs (e.g.,
predictions, recommendations, content, or decisions) from inputs and may influence
physical or virtual environments.

• Generative AI: AI systems that produce content (e.g., text, images, audio/video, code) in response to prompts.
• Agentic AI: AI systems that can plan, sequence, or execute tasks toward a goal with limited ongoing user input (including use of tools, actions, or integrations).
• AI Tool: Any software, application, website, or other technology tool that is enabled by or uses AI.
• District-Approved AI Tool: Any AI Tool vetted and authorized by the District through administrative procedures aligned to Board policy and applicable law (including required data privacy agreements).
• Personally Identifiable Information (PII): Information that can identify a student or staff member directly or indirectly, including information protected by law or Board policy.

3) Guiding Principles

A. Human-Centered Use

AI may support learning and work, but it does not replace professional judgment, critical thinking, or student intellectual effort. District staff remain responsible for instructional decisions, supervision, and assessment practices.

B. Educational Purpose and Acceptable Use

AI use must support legitimate educational and operational purposes and comply with District acceptable use requirements and supervision/monitoring practices.

C. Safety, Privacy, and Equity

The District will implement reasonable safeguards (e.g., vetting, filtering, supervision, training, and contractual privacy protections) and strive for equitable access to AI-enabled learning opportunities.

D. Innovation with Guardrails

The District will continually evaluate emerging AI capabilities to improve teaching, learning, and operations while managing risk through governance and oversight.

E. AI Literacy for Students and Staff

The District will provide developmentally appropriate instruction and training, emphasizing accuracy, bias awareness, privacy, and responsible use, while prioritizing critical thinking and reasoning.

4) Legal Compliance

Use of AI must comply with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, including, but not limited to student privacy, children’s online protections, internet safety requirements, and laws governing students with disabilities. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure District AI procedures remain aligned with evolving legal requirements and statewide guidance as it becomes available.

5) Governance & Planning

A. Superintendent Authority and Implementation

The Superintendent or designee shall develop and maintain Administrative Procedures (“AI
Responsible Use Guidelines”) that operationalize this policy, including:

• vetting and approval of AI Tools,
• student and staff expectations for disclosure and integrity, and
• communications to families and the community.

B. Advisory Committee

The Superintendent may convene an administrative cross-functional advisory committee (e.g., Educational Technology Committee) that may include, in the Superintendent’s discretion, administrators, educators, students, families, and subject-matter experts to provide feedback on implementation of AI Tools and associated risk management, equity, and training needs.

C. Annual Reporting and Review

The Superintendent shall report to the Board at least annually on implementation status, trends, risks, and recommended updates to this policy and related procedures.

6) Acceptable and Prohibited Uses

A. Permitted Uses

When using District-approved tools and consistent with procedures, AI Tools may be used to support and enhance teaching, learning, and District operations while maintaining human responsibility and oversight.

B. Prohibited / High-Risk Uses

The use of AI to create, solicit, share, or distribute harassing, discriminatory, sexually explicit, threatening, or deceptive content, including use of deepfakes or impersonation, is strictly prohibited.

The following actions and practices are prohibited, except as may be explicitly authorized in writing by the Superintendent or designee in isolated situations when necessary or prudent and in compliance with applicable law and Board Policy:

1. AI-only decisions that materially affect a student’s rights, safety, placement, discipline, evaluation, or access to services.
2. Use of non-approved AI Tools for District work or student activities.
3. Bypass of District security controls, filtering, supervision, or monitoring.

7) Privacy, Security, and Data Handling

A. Data Minimization and Protection

Students and staff shall not enter PII or confidential information into AI Tools unless the tool is District-approved for that purpose and such use is authorized and supervised pursuant to administrative procedures.

B. Education Records

AI outputs that become part of a student’s education record shall be handled consistent with applicable privacy requirements and District record practices.

C. Monitoring

Use of District electronic networks, including all District technology resources, is subject to monitoring consistent with District policy and law.

8) Student Use

Students may use District-approved AI Tools in support of their learning, consistent with teacher direction and attribution of usage.

9) Staff Use

Staff may use District-approved AI Tools to support instruction and operations while:

• exercising professional judgment,
• verifying accuracy and appropriateness,
• protecting PII and other confidential information, and
• complying with policy, procedures, and ethical expectations.

10) AI Tool Vendor Management

Before deployment on District devices, accounts, or networks and before any use by students for school purposes or by District staff for District work or business, AI Tools must undergo District review as defined in administrative procedures, including privacy/security evaluation, required agreements, and ongoing monitoring. The District will maintain and publish (as appropriate) an up-to-date list of District-approved AI Tools.

11) Accessibility & Accommodations

AI use shall support accessibility and comply with legal requirements for students and staff with disabilities. Any required supports will be provided in a manner consistent with IDEA/Section 504/ADA, as applicable.

12) Monitoring, Accountability, and Enforcement

Violations of this policy or related administrative procedures may result in consequences consistent with Board policy, student behavior expectations and procedures, employee conduct expectations, and applicable law.

13) Review Cycle

This policy shall be reviewed periodically and at least annually in conjunction with the Superintendent’s reporting and updates to administrative procedures.

LEGAL REF.

• 15 U.S.C. §§6501-6506, Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act
• 20 U.S.C. § 1232g, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
• 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq., Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
• 47 U.S.C. §254(l), Children’s Internet Protection Act
• 105 ILCS 85/, Student Online Personal Protection Act

CROSS REF.

5:100 (Staff Development Program); 5:120 (Employee Ethics; Code of Professional Conduct; and Conflict of Interest); 6:235 (Access to Electronic Networks); 7:190 (Student Behavior); 7:345 (Use of Educational Technologies; Student Data Privacy and Security); 7:190 (Student Behavior)