Brooklyn's Community Educational Council for District 20 opened the school year on September 9 with a meeting at P.S. 310 in Sunset Park that tackled AI restrictions, screen time limits, youth vaping penalties, and a 6.8% decline in middle school enrollment over five years. The policies discussed will shape how teachers and administrators across the district operate for the 2026-2027 school year.
AI restrictions by grade level
Senator Andrew Gournades, Chairman of the Committee on Budget and Revenue, said the district needs to "return to basics, you know, that we know works, which is live in person instruction." He praised the one-year delay on students facing generative AI announced by school chancellor Kamar Samuels and Mayor Zohran Mamdani, adding, "There's no reason for young kids to have to be taught solely off of screens and solely off of apps."
Superintendent Dr. David Pretto laid out the NYC public school guidance. AI is banned from Kindergarten through 8th grade. High schools may use restricted software for AI literacy, career readiness, and limited AI pilots. "What we are really looking to make sure is being reduced and eliminated is passive, unstructured time on a computer in the classroom," Pretto said.
What teachers can and cannot do with AI
Teacher-facing AI policies allow use for instructional planning and operational tasks: brainstorming, lesson planning, drafting emails, streamlining operations, professional learning, and translation. Pretto said AI "cannot be used for grading, behavior monitoring, placement, promotion, graduation, or other decisions about students."
Special education documents must be developed by qualified professionals. Counseling, crisis intervention, and therapeutic support are provided only by qualified staff. These are exceptions to the teaching-use policy. Educators looking to understand the boundaries of these tools can review AI for Teachers resources that cover responsible classroom applications.
Vaping penalties and enrollment screening
Council member Alina Lewis discussed District 20's resolution on e-cigarette use and distribution. A first offense triggers education and intervention, including a mandatory conference with the student, parents or guardians, and the school guidance counselor. The student and parent must jointly complete a substance hazard education and cessation support program. A second offense calls for behavioral support and counseling. Repeated offenses go to the Principal and District Superintendent for administrative review.
On enrollment, the district's resolution cites a 6.8% decline in middle school admissions over five years and an 11.4% decline in elementary enrollment. An NYC Department of Education exit survey found the top reason parents left was "more rigorous education than possible in NYC." Middle schools have begun using academic screening based on standardized test scores and report cards, replacing lottery or neighborhood-based zoning. The proposals specify that seats should be screened without affecting special education programs including NEST and IREAD.
Why this matters for educators
Teachers in District 20 need to know exactly where the AI line sits before the school year deepens. The policy is specific: planning and administrative tasks are permitted, but any decision about a student's grades, placement, or progress is off-limits for AI. Reviewing the district's guidance now prevents compliance problems later. For broader context on how AI is being applied in classrooms, the AI for Education tag tracks policy developments and practical guidance for school staff.
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