Public Meeting Announcement: Notice of Rule Development: 1/21/2026
RULE TITLE: Artificial Intelligence
RULE NUMBER: Policy 2.505
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Artificial Intelligence
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: This policy aims to allow for innovation while ensuring the safe and productive use of Artificial Intelligence within the School District of Palm Beach County. This policy sets forth standards and guidelines to ensure that employees use AI responsibly and in alignment with District standards for confidentiality, ethics, and professional conduct. Additionally, this policy sets forth the guidelines for acceptable use of AI by students.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Fla. Stat. §§ 120.81(1)(a); 1001.32(2); 1001.41(2); 1001.42; 1001.43(1)(2)(3)(8)
LAWS IMPLEMENTED: Fla. Stat. § 1001.42
CONTACT: Rebecca Smykla, Director of Educational Technology (rebecca.smykla@palmbeachschools.org)
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RULE TITLE: Students With Life-Threatening Health Conditions
RULE NUMBER: Policy 5.324
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: This policy establishes procedures to ensure the safety of students with life-threatening health conditions within the school setting. SB 1514 added a requirement that certain emergency action plans are effective and remain accessible while students are on campus, and that an adequate number of personnel receive training on handling anaphylaxis emergencies, including personnel for before and after school programming. The policy revisions are to reflect the changes in the legislation.
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To provide for all PBCSD employees and contracted staff whose duties include regular contact with a student in grades K-8 with life-threatening allergies, including anaphylaxis, training in the recognition of symptoms, and the care of students with anaphylaxis, and preventing and responding to allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. In addition, the proposed amendment ensures an Emergency Care Plan (EAP) is in effect and accessible to appropriate staff at all times, when the student with a life-threatening health condition is on school grounds during the school day or participating in school-sponsored activities, including before and after school programs at the school.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Fla. Stat. §§ 120.81(1)(a); 1001.32(2)(1); 1001.41(1)&(2); 1001.42; 1006.062; 1006.0626; 1002.20; 381.0056; 64F-6.004, F.A.C.; 765.101
LAWS IMPLEMENTED: Fla. Stat. §§ Fla. Stat. §§ 1006.062(1)(a)&(1)(b)(1); 1006.0626; 1002.20(3); 381.0056; 765.101; Rule 64F-6.004, F.A.C; Rule 6A-6.0251, F.A.C
CONTACT: Keith Oswald, Chief of Student Health and Wellness (keith.oswald@palmbeachschools.org)
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RULE TITLE: Eligibility for Participation in K-12 Extracurricular Activities
RULE NUMBER: Policy 5.60
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Extracurricular Activities
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Establish eligibility criteria for participation in extracurricular activities, including interscholastic and intrascholastic athletic programs.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Fla. Stat. §§ 120.81 (1)(a); 10001.32 (2);1001.41 (2); 1001.43 (3)( c) ; 1006.15.
LAWS IMPLEMENTED: Fla. Stat. §§ 1000.05; 1002.20 (7) (17) (18); 1006.07; 1006.15; 1006.16; 1006.195; 1006.20; 1006.28 (3) (b); 10014.05; U.S.C. Title 42, Sec. 2000h-2-2000h-6 (Title IX 1972 Education amendments).
CONTACT: Keith Oswald, Chief of Student Health and Wellness (keith.oswald@palmbeachschools.org)
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RULE TITLE: Eligibility Requirements Including Physical Examination for High School and Middle School Interscholastic Athletics
RULE NUMBER: Policy 5.61
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Participation in Interscholastic Athletics.
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Establishes requirements for participation in high school and middle school interscholastic athletic programs.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Fla. Stat. §§ 120.81 (1) (a); 1001.32(2);1001.41 (1) & (2); 1001.42(28); 1001.43(1); 1006.15
LAWS IMPLEMENTED: Fla. Stat. §§ 1001.32(2); 1001.42(10); 1001.43; 1002.20 (17) & (18); 1006.15; 1006.20; 20 U.S.C. § 1232h; 20 U.S.C. § 1232g; F.A.C. 6A-10.085, 6A-10.089
CONTACT: Keith Oswald, Chief of Student Health and Wellness (keith.oswald@palmbeachschools.org)
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RULE TITLE: Drug and Alcohol Testing of Student Athletes
RULE NUMBER: Policy 5.615
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Proposed Repeal of Policy allowing for Drug and Alcohol Testing of Student Athletes under a state pilot program which is no longer in effect.
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Repeal of policy allowing for Drug and Alcohol Testing of Student Athletes.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Fla. Stat. §§1001.32 (2); 1001.41 (2); 1001.42 (25) and 1001.43
LAWS IMPLEMENTED: Fla. Stat. §§ 1001.43 (1); 20 U.S.C. 1232 (g); 42 C.F.R. Part 2, §2.1 (f)
CONTACT: Keith Oswald, Chief of Student Health and Wellness (keith.oswald@palmbeachschools.org)
THE PRELIMINARY TEXT of the proposed rule development may be obtained without cost from the School District’s web site at http://www.boarddocs.com/fl/palmbeach/Board.nsf/Public.
PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE: Development of the proposed rule is anticipated to be considered at the School Board Meeting (which includes Policies) on January 21, 2026. This meeting will begin at 5:00 p.m. in the Board Room at 3300 Forest Hill Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida. AGENDA: An agenda will be available by January 8, 2026 on the District’s web site at http://www.boarddocs.com/fl/palmbeach/Board.nsf/Public Pursuant to the provisions of the American with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this hearing is asked to advise the agency at least 48 hours in advance by contacting Toni Sinclair, Board Clerk at 561-434-8136. A person may submit written comments (12 copies) about the proposed action to the Clerk no later than the time of the public hearing. This hearing is open to the public and public comment is accepted on this matter. Please contact the Clerk at the number provided prior to noon the day of the meeting, or by submitting a blue card to the Clerk at the meeting prior to start of meeting.