New Bedford School Committee takes first look at an AI use policy, hears enrollment report Nov. 9
A revised agenda posted Friday added the AI policy, and the committee will also vote on a New Bedford High School color guard trip to the national championships in Dayton, Ohio.
NEW BEDFORD New Bedford's School Committee is set to take a first-reading vote Monday on an artificial intelligence use policy for the district, at a meeting where it also hears reports on this school year's enrollment and on special education services.
The regular meeting starts at 6 p.m. Nov. 9 in the Steven De Rossi Community Room at Keith Middle School, 225 Hathaway Blvd., according to the agenda the City Clerk's office stamped at 3:14 p.m. Friday. That revised agenda replaced one stamped Wednesday, Nov. 4, and the AI policy was the main addition.
It is the committee's only regular meeting scheduled before Monday, Dec. 14, the next one the agenda lists.
The AI policy
Under new business, the committee is listed to consider and vote on the first reading of policies affected by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees' updated policy manual, and the only file named is an Artificial Intelligence Use Policy. The agenda does not include the draft text or say whether it covers students, staff or both.
Enrollment and special education
Superintendent Andrew O'Leary's report has three parts on the agenda: general updates, enrollment for the 2026-27 school year and special education services. The district enrolled 12,441 students in the 2025-26 school year, according to the state education department's district profile, so Monday's figure will show how this year compares.
The committee will also hear the student representative's report, finance and operations reports, the personnel report and reports from its subcommittees.
Two trips up for approval
Members are set to vote on a request from Matthew Pacheco, director of the New Bedford High School Whaler Marching Band, to take 11 students and nine chaperones to the WGI Winter Guard Championships in Dayton, Ohio, April 7 to 11, 2027. The agenda puts the cost at about $2,272.73 per student, paid through a band boosters fundraiser.
A second request, from Whaling City Jr./Sr. High School teacher Mark Carvalho, would let him attend the Hotel Papal Residency in Faial, in the Azores, Jan. 14 to 25, 2027, at an approximate cost listed as $0, the agenda says.
Other business
The reports and both trip requests appear on the Nov. 4 and Nov. 6 versions of the agenda, and the committee will also approve the minutes of its Sept. 14 and Oct. 5 meetings.
How to weigh in
Public comment comes near the end of the open session, after new business. Mayor Jonathan F. Mitchell chairs the committee as an ex officio member, and Melissa Costa is vice chair. Anyone who needs an accommodation can contact Marjorie Fernandes at 508-997-4511, extension 14552, at least 48 hours ahead. The committee's next regular meeting is Monday, Dec. 14.
Label: Reported by us, from the town's posted records.
Notes
Every fact comes from the New Bedford School Committee's revised Nov. 9 agenda, stamped by the City Clerk's office Nov. 6, the first version stamped Nov. 4, the city's meeting listing and the state education department's 2025-26 enrollment profile. We read them on Nov. 7 and compared the two agendas line by line. We checked each date and weekday against a calendar. Not heard: the agenda does not include the draft AI policy or the enrollment and special education reports; we asked the district for them, and anything it sends will be added to this story.
Corrections
No corrections to this story. If something here is wrong, tell us. Every correction is dated on the story and listed in our public log.
Sources (4)
- New Bedford School Committee, Regular Meeting, Monday, November 9, 2026, revised agendaNew Bedford School Committee, 3 pages, City Clerk stamp 11/6/2026 3:14:40 p.m., marked REVISED 11.6.26. Time, place, superintendent report items, trips and costs, AI policy first reading, members, ADA contact, next meeting Dec. 14. Read Nov. 7, 2026.
- New Bedford School Committee, Regular Meeting, Monday, November 9, 2026, agenda (first version)New Bedford School Committee, 3 pages, City Clerk stamp 11/4/2026 3:05:05 p.m. No AI policy item. Read Nov. 7, 2026.
- School Department, New Bedford School Committee, Nov. 9, 2026City of New Bedford meeting listing. Date, time, Keith Middle School address, links to both agendas. Read Nov. 7, 2026.
- New Bedford district enrollment, 2025-26Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education district profile. Total 2025-26 enrollment 12,441. Read Nov. 7, 2026.