POLICY: 6470  Personnel

SUBJECT: STAFF USE OF COMPUTERIZED INFORMATION RESOURCES

The Board of Education provides staff with access to various computerized information resources through the district’s computer system consisting of software, hardware, computer networks and electronic communication systems. This will include access to CD ROMs, Internet, on-line information services and electronic mail.

The Board encourages staff to make use of the district’s computer system to support its educational objectives and carry out administrative tasks.  Computerized information resources can motivate student learning, expand opportunities for individualized instruction, provide new learning resources, and make abstract concepts more concrete.  Used to carry out the district’s administrative tasks, computerized information resources facilitate communication and improve information flow.  The Board of Education therefore provides staff with professional development in the proper and effective use of these resources.

Generally, the same standards of acceptable staff conduct which apply to any aspect of job performance shall apply to use of the District’s Computer System (DCS).  Employees are expected to communicate in a professional manner consistent with applicable District policies and regulations governing the behavior of school staff. Electronic mail and tele-communications are not to be utilized to share confidential information about students and other employees, except where appropriate for the performance of an employee’s job.  

Electronic material that users transmit or store is not private.  The district reserves the right to monitor use of its computer system to assure that it is being used in compliance with Board of Education policy and administrative regulations as well as applicable state and federal laws.

Privacy Rights

The Board recognizes certain limited privacy rights of staff and limits access by the computer coordinator to circumstances where reasonable suspicion exists to believe that some violation of the policy, regulations or the law has occurred.

Implementation

Administrative regulations have been developed to implement the terms of this policy, addressing general parameters of acceptable staff conduct as well as prohibited activities so as to provide appropriate guidelines for employee use of the DCS.

 POLICY: 6470  Staff

Administrative Regulations

Use of Computerized Information Resources

In conformance with the Board of Education’s policies on Computerized Information Resources, the Administration establishes the following regulations:

Standards for Acceptable Use

1. The following uses of the district’s computer system (including the district’s hardware, software, networks, and communication systems) are expressly prohibited:
    

   • Transmitting any message or material in violation of any Federal or State statutes including copyright violations and student record violations (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act);
      

   • Transmitting or knowingly accessing any material or message that:

     • Intimidates or harasses others

     • Uses threats or curses or insults to race or religion
        

   • Creating or posting a web site without the prior approval of the Administration.  Personally identifiable information such as pictures and names may be included only with the consent of the parent/guardian;

   •  Using the network for private financial or commercial gain;

   • Installing personal copies of software on the computer system without prior approval;

   • Gaining or seeking to gain unauthorized access to computerized resources or computer systems;

   • Knowingly damaging computer equipment, software or networks; and

   • Accessing another person’s folders or files without his or her approval.
      

2. Responsibility for Use
    

   • Each user will be responsible for the proper use of his or her account.
      

3. Monitoring of Computer System Use
    

   • Electronic material that users transmit or store is not private. Data files and electronic storage areas are district property, subject to district control and inspection.  The district reserves the right to monitor use of the computer system to assure that it is being used in compliance with Board or Education policy and these regulations as well as applicable state and federal laws.  

Approved by Superintendent of Schools:  September 2004