BY JOHN A. DARNELL JR.
      associate editor
      The Boardman Local School Board has given unanimous approval for a $673,400 re-roofing project at West Blvd. Elementary School, 6125 West Blvd; and has also unanimously approved a $141,429 project at Boardman High School and Center Intermediate School for the installation of speakers and related equipment.
      The roofing work at West Blvd. is scheduled to begin on Nov. 18 and will take 46 days to complete, according to the proposal approved by the school board.
      The proposal that has been approved was submitted by Building Technicians Corp., 2775 Hubbard Rd., Madison, Oh.
      “We propose to furnish all labor, materials, equipment, transportation, and other services required to successfully accomplish the work in accordance with the project documents,” says the Building Technicians Corporation’s proposal that provides a 30-year replacement warranty on four of the seven sections of roofing that will be worked on.
      VEC has been approved for the work on speaker systems. The company has offices on Tibbetts Wick Rd. in Girard, Oh. and in Spring Hill, Tenn.
      According to the proposal approved by the Boardman Local School Board, VEC will Install speakers and cables for the paging system in the Boardman High School and Center Intermediate School.
      359 speakers will be installed at the high school, and 257 speakers will be installed at Center.
      In another matter, the school board has entered into an ‘Alternative Learning Program Agreement’ with Community Behavior Consulting, 4410 Boardman-Canfield Rd., Canfield, Oh. that mandates the local school district ‘shall pay’ a placement fee of $93,600 for each student in the program, in addition to a $2000 ‘student initiation fee.’
      The alternative learning program agreement is for the purpose of meeting the behavioral
      educational needs and providing the least restrictive placement based on the Individual Educational Program (IEP) of each student.
      Under terms of the agreement with the Boardman Local School Board, Community Behavior Consulting “shall provide placement services for the student to include the services outlined with the IEP, behavior management, and developmentally appropriate academic instruction.”
      In addition, the agreement says “Behavior Consulting and the District will agree to the duration and intensity of services provided (i.e. therapeutic, behavioral, and academic) prior to the placement of the student.”
      Of note, the agreement stipulates “There are no guarantees for the outcome of services. Community Behavior will document the effectiveness of interventions accordingly.”
      Supt. Chris Neifer confirmed the school board has adopted a policy on the use of artificial intelligence.
      The police reads as follows:
      “The Boardman Board of Education recognizes the positive impact that artificial intelligence (AI) technology may have in the district’s educational program and operations. The superintendent is authorized to support the use of AI technology when its use is consistent with the District’s mission, goals, and operational integrity.
      The artificial intelligence policy stipulates “any use of AI technology in the District’s educational program or operations must be in accordance with state and federal law,” as well as board mandates on the ‘Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs and Activities,’ the use of Personal Communication Devices, as well as rules on student conduct, confidentiality and security breach of confidential databases.
      “Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary consequences. Students may be disciplined for violations, up to and including suspension or expulsion. Staff may be disciplined for violations, up to and including suspension or termination of employment. The Administration will refer any illegal acts to law enforcement,” concludes the artificial intelligence policy.