Beecher School Board Reviews New Policies on AI, Student Privacy

Article Summary: The Beecher Board of Education reviewed several policy updates during a special meeting, focusing on the integration of Artificial Intelligence in schools and new privacy protocols regarding law enforcement access to student records.

Beecher School District 200-U Key Points:

• AI Policy: A new policy will establish an “AI Ethics and Safety Officer” role, assigned to the district’s technology director and specialist.

• Student Privacy: New state legislation requires School Resource Officers (SROs) and police to complete a formal request form before accessing student records.

• Instructional Materials: The Board agreed to maintain its authority over adopting primary instructional materials rather than delegating that power to the superintendent.

• Curriculum Updates: The Board discussed curricular changes regarding the Irish Famine and internet safety.

The Beecher Board of Education met on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, to discuss a slate of policy updates known as “Press Plus 120,” which address emerging technology and legal changes in Illinois.

A significant portion of the discussion centered on a new policy regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI). The Superintendent explained that the policy is designed to create guidelines and overarching roles for safe and responsible monitoring of AI.

“It creates a title for them,” the Superintendent said, noting that the technology director and specialist will serve as the “AI Ethics and Safety Officer.”

The administration emphasized that AI integration is inevitable. “It doesn’t matter how you feel about whether it’s coming or not… It’s like a train that’s coming at you,” the Superintendent told the Board. “Not preparing [students] for that future is kind of putting them at a disadvantage.”

The policy ensures that any technology used in the district is approved by the State of Illinois and complies with the Student Online Personal Protection Act (SOPPA).

The Board also reviewed changes to Policy 7:150 regarding Agency and Police Interviews. Under new state legislation, law enforcement officers, including the School Resource Officer (SRO), must now follow a formal process to access student information.

“If the SRO… requires any information from us… they actually have to fill out that form,” the Superintendent explained. “They can no longer just kind of walk in, flash a badge, and say ‘we need this.'”

The Superintendent described the change as a privacy protection measure to ensure information is only released to authorized individuals. The document has already been shared with the local police department.

Regarding curriculum (Policy 6:60), the Board discussed a consideration to require the teaching of the Irish Famine. The administration recommended against making it a formal policy requirement to avoid potential compliance violations, noting that the topic is already covered in social studies classes. The Board agreed to leave the specific implementation to the teachers’ autonomy.

Additionally, the Board reviewed Policy 6:210 regarding the adoption of instructional materials. The Board agreed to reject a default option that would have shifted approval power to the superintendent.

“I agree that that should be left in our hands,” Board Secretary Brandy Flores said. “If there’s people in our community that have concerns with some of the material, then they can bring it to the board’s attention.”

These policies are expected to undergo a first and second reading at subsequent meetings before final implementation.