Mahomet-Seymour Board to Vote on AI Guidebook Mandating Human Oversight, Tiered Approval, and Age-Based Access

The Mahomet-Seymour School Board is set to discuss a comprehensive Artificial Intelligence (AI) Guidebook on April 20, aiming to shape how students and staff will use AI tools starting in the 2026–2027 school year. This framework, developed by the district’s Artificial Intelligence Committee and reviewed by various groups including high school students and legal counsel, seeks to ensure ethical, safe, and effective integration of AI into the curriculum.

A core tenet of the proposed guidebook is the requirement for ongoing human oversight. Both staff and students must actively verify the accuracy and identify potential biases in any AI-generated outputs. This ensures critical engagement with technology rather than passive acceptance.

The district outlines a four-step tiered approval process for introducing new AI tools into classrooms. This rigorous procedure begins with an instructional request from a staff member, followed by Data Privacy Agreement (DPA) verification to confirm vendor compliance with student data privacy. Next, a technical vetting phase evaluates tools for security, algorithmic bias, and accessibility. The final step ensures public transparency, listing all approved tools and their data sharing terms on the Mahomet-Seymour Public SOPPA Registry.

Age-based restrictions will also govern access to generative AI platforms, which create new content like text or images. Only high school students will gain access to these advanced tools. Younger students will be limited to district-approved learning applications that feature embedded AI functionalities, such as adaptive learning algorithms. The proposal also includes provisions for automated monitoring to detect prompts related to self-harm, bullying, or deepfake creation, enhancing student safety.

This guidebook establishes clear boundaries for AI use, emphasizing student data privacy and adherence to Illinois' SOPPA law. Parents retain the right to opt their child out of having personally identifiable information (PII) entered into any large language model. Academically, students will bear full responsibility for all submitted work, even with AI assistance, and must disclose any AI use on assignments. Failure to disclose will be treated as academic dishonesty, falling under existing plagiarism and cheating policies. The board plans to consider the guidebook for possible approval on May 18. This decision will influence how the district approaches evolving technology in education, setting a precedent for AI integration in schools.