Selection of AI tools

AI tools will be vetted by relevant stakeholders including, but not limited to the district’s IT staff and, when related to student learning or assessment, by the Curriculum Director.  Decisions to use AI tools should be focused on:

 

• Protection of students: Any AI tools used in the district must comply with the requirements to safeguard students from accessing material that is obscene, child pornography and harmful to minors. 

• Privacy:  Personally identifiable information of students will not be shared without necessary written consents.  Further, any AI tools utilized must meet the requirements of the School Official exemption listed in FERPA, and described in policy 712.

• Accessibility: Is the tool available to students of all abilities?  If not, what comparable alternatives will be offered to ensure an equitable learning environment for all students?

• Accuracy: To the extent reasonable, the AI tool should be both reliable and unbiased in its pattern recognition, and data used by the tool should be verified for accuracy.

• Transparent and Interruptible: Student use of AI tools must be able to be monitored by licensed staff to safeguard the appropriateness of the learning experience for the student and monitor for accuracy of the AI tool.  

 

Academic Integrity

Use of AI in research and graded work by students must include proper source citations.  Copyright protections must be strictly adhered to.  Students who fail to comply with these requirements may face discipline as stated in relevant district policies.

 

Appropriate Use

Prior to using AI tools, classroom teachers will clearly state how AI tools may be used to engage in and complete educational tasks and assignments.  Classroom teachers will establish appropriate parameters for AI tool usage and will monitor student use of AI tools as appropriate.  

 

Prohibited Uses

Students will not use AI tools to access or create information that is discriminatory, constitutes bullying or harassment, shares confidential or personally identifiable information of others, or access/create material that is harmful to minors, obscene, or child pornography.  Any violation of this regulation will be treated as a violation of relevant district policies and may be subject to loss of access to the AI tool, and further discipline.

 

Definitions

For purposes of this regulation, “AI-generated images” means images created, modified, or substantially altered through the use of artificial intelligence tools or resources.

“Inappropriate AI-generated images” means AI-generated or digitally altered images that depict, portray, or imitate a student or employee in a manner that is lewd, sexually explicit, threatening, harassing, defamatory, bullying, or otherwise prohibited by law or district policy. An AI-generated image is not considered inappropriate solely because it depicts or imitates the likeness of a student or employee.

Purpose and Policy Statement

The North Linn Community School District recognizes that artificial intelligence tools can be used for legitimate educational, creative, and school-sponsored purposes. The District also recognizes that AI tools can be misused to create images that may cause harm, embarrassment, harassment, or other disruption to members of the school community.

Students and employees are prohibited from using artificial intelligence tools to create, distribute, post, or otherwise share inappropriate AI-generated images depicting, portraying, or imitating students or employees.

Nothing in this regulation is intended to prohibit the appropriate use of AI-generated images for educational, instructional, creative, school-sponsored, or other legitimate purposes when the use is consistent with district policies and applicable law.

Applicability

This regulation applies to prohibited conduct when:

• District technology resources, including hardware, software, systems, or networks, are used;

• The conduct occurs on school grounds or at a school-sponsored event or activity;

• The conduct otherwise occurs within the context of the school or substantially impacts the school environment;

• The conduct is materially or substantially disruptive to the learning environment; or

• The conduct constitutes bullying, harassment, or other prohibited conduct under district policy.

Appropriate Uses

AI-generated images depicting or imitating students or employees may be used when the images are appropriate and the use is otherwise authorized, including for legitimate educational, instructional, creative, promotional, or school-sponsored purposes.

When an individual's likeness is used, students and employees are expected to respect applicable privacy rights, obtain appropriate consent when required, and comply with district policies and applicable law.

Images generated by the District or its employees for legitimate district purposes and edited using district-approved software are not prohibited by this regulation when the images are appropriate and used with required consent and in accordance with applicable law and board policy.

Prohibited Uses

Students and employees shall not create, distribute, post, or otherwise share AI-generated images of students or employees that:

• Are lewd or sexually explicit;

• Depict or imply sexual acts or sexualized conduct;

• Are threatening, harassing, defamatory, or intended to humiliate or intimidate;

• Constitute or contribute to bullying or harassment under district policy;

• Are created or distributed with the intent to cause harm, embarrassment, or distress;

• Misrepresent an individual in a manner that violates applicable law or district policy; or

• Otherwise constitute prohibited conduct under applicable law or district policy.

Reporting, Investigation, and Response

Reports of inappropriate AI-generated images will be addressed in accordance with the District's existing bullying and harassment policies and procedures, when applicable. The District may also investigate alleged violations under applicable student or employee disciplinary policies.

The District will take appropriate steps to protect and support individuals who are the subjects of inappropriate AI-generated images and may involve parents or guardians as appropriate and consistent with law and district policy.

Enforcement

Students or employees who violate this regulation may be subject to disciplinary action consistent with applicable district policies, up to and including suspension or expulsion for students or other appropriate employment action for employees.

The District may refer conduct to law enforcement or other appropriate authorities when required or permitted by law.

Administrative Authority

The superintendent or designee may establish additional administrative procedures as necessary to implement this regulation and address emerging uses or misuse of artificial intelligence technology.

 

Approved       9-16-26             Reviewed                  Revised