Plymouth School Committee Approves Updated Student Handbook with AI Guidelines
New policies address smart glasses, energy drinks and food delivery as district adapts to changing landscape
PLYMOUTH - May 19 - The Plymouth School Committee unanimously approves revisions to the 2025-2026 student handbook, including new guidelines on artificial intelligence use in academic work. The updates aim to balance educational benefits of AI tools while maintaining academic integrity.
"We're not trying to eliminate AI," says Assistant Superintendent Dr. Stacey Rogers, who presented the handbook changes. "It's not going away. We completely recognize that, but we're trying to limit it in scope in the sense of we don't want students to just type, 'I want a U.S. history paper on the Civil War' and just spitting out information."
The new AI policy encourages students to use artificial intelligence as a "thought partner" or for sentence starters and vocabulary assistance, while prohibiting its use for creating entire assignments or taking tests.
New committee member Paul Samargedus notes the importance of developing AI literacy alongside policies.
"When we're writing policies, we should also combine it with something that's AI literacy driven because there are benefits to using AI but there's also reduced critical thinking," Samargedus says. "You're not replacing teachers, you're assisting them."
The committee discusses the rapidly evolving nature of AI technology, with member Katherine Jackson suggesting the policy remain somewhat open-ended to evolve with the technology itself.
"I like the way that it's written because it leaves it open as a learning or study aid, but I kind of see this as a living, breathing part of things because it's such a new technology," Jackson says.
The handbook also addresses "smart glasses" – eyewear with built-in cameras that could potentially be used to record or cheat during classes. The policy prohibits such devices but includes exceptions for students with accessibility needs.
Committee member Christina Bryant raises concerns about potential accessibility issues with the smart glasses ban.
"Ray-Ban Meta glasses can have prescription lenses and come with Bluetooth. They're actually upgrading their software to help from a visibility perspective and describe things that are surrounding, as well as auditory features to replace some hearing aids," Bryant explains.
After discussion, the committee decides to keep the language allowing exceptions for accessibility needs, ensuring students who genuinely need such technology can still use it with administrative approval.
Other significant handbook updates include:
- A ban on energy drinks containing stimulant compounds
- Restrictions on food delivery services during school hours
- Updated language around electronic devices for elementary students
- Changes to minimum grading scales at middle schools to 50% instead of lower percentages
- Reorganization of technology policies into a single appendix for clarity
The committee also discusses potential revisions to the excused absence policy. The current proposal would require students to be "seen by a physician" to have absences excused with a doctor's note, but several committee members express concerns.
"If a child's healthcare provider is comfortable writing a note and excusing the student, that's between the child and the healthcare provider," says committee member Ashley Shaw. "I don't think that we can force parents to pay co-pays in order to get a letter."
Chair Luis Pizano suggests the policy needs clearer time parameters rather than vague requirements about physician visits. The committee agrees to revisit this section through the policy committee to develop more comprehensive guidelines.
Dr. Campbell, Superintendent, provides updates on several district achievements and upcoming events:
- Plymouth Center Intermediate School has been accepted into the 25-26 One8 Foundation Applied Learning Leadership Institute with a $13,000 grant
- Pedro Martinez will start as the new Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education on July 1.
*editor’s note: former Chicago Superintendent, not Red Sox player.
- Academic convocation ceremonies are scheduled for June 4 at Plymouth South High School and June 5 at Plymouth North
- Graduation ceremonies will take place on June 7, with North High School at 9:30 a.m. and South High School at 1 p.m.
The committee also reorganizes its leadership positions for the coming year, with Pizano continuing as chair, Jackson as vice chair, and Morgan as secretary.
Other notable items from the meeting include:
- Presentations of school improvement plans from Plymouth South Elementary and West Elementary School
- Recognition of Gail Howland, retiring after 31 years at Cold Spring Elementary School
- Announcement that Plymouth Public Schools will join the Cape Cod Collaborative as of July 1
- A letter of thanks from the Salvation Army for Plymouth South Middle School students' community service
The committee approves the handbook revisions with the understanding that the excused absence policy will be revisited and that technology policies, particularly around AI, will likely need regular updates as technology continues to evolve.