Computer and Device Use

(See Board Policies ECH, IIBF, IIBG, JCDA and KBA) 

Use of District Computers and Devices/Privacy Rights 

District-issued computer systems and electronic devices are for educational and professional use. All information created by staff and students or stored thereon shall be considered district property and shall be subject to unannounced monitoring by district administrators. Unauthorized access to and/or unauthorized use of the district server or security system (including, but not limited to, surveillance footage) is also prohibited. The district retains the right to discipline any student up to and including expulsion and any employee up to and including termination for violation of this policy. 

Copyright

Software acquired by students or staff using either district or personal funds and installed on district computers or electronic devices must comply with copyright laws.

Installation

The network administrator can verify the compatibility of the software or application with existing software, hardware, and applications and prescribe installation and de-installation procedures.

Hardware

Students shall not install unapproved hardware on district computers or make changes to software settings that support district hardware.

Audits

The administration may conduct periodic audits of software and applications installed on district equipment to verify legitimate use.

E-mail Privacy Rights

Employees and/or students shall have no expectation of privacy when using district e-mail or other official communication systems. Any e-mail or computer application or information in district computers, computer systems, or electronic devices is subject to monitoring by the administration.

Privacy Rights

Any email, computer application or information stored in or transmitted through district computers, network systems or electronic devices is subject to monitoring by the administration with no expectation of privacy.

Ownership of Employee Computer and Device Materials

Computer materials, devices, software or applications created as part of an assigned district responsibility or classroom activity undertaken on school time shall be the property of the Board.

Lost, Stolen or Damaged Computers and/or Equipment

Students and staff members shall be responsible for reimbursing the district for replacement of or repair to district-issued computers or electronic devices which are lost, stolen or damaged while in the student’s or staff member’s possession.

Purpose

The district provides computer network and internet access for its students and employees. This service allows employees and students to share information, learn new concepts, research diverse subjects, and create and maintain school-based websites. The district has adopted the following Guidelines for Acceptable Use to govern the conduct of those who elect to access the computer network or district Internet.

Guidelines for Acceptable Use

Users shall adhere to the following guidelines for acceptable use:

● All use of the Internet will be in support of educational activities.

● Users will report the misuse and breaches of network security.

● Users shall not access, delete, copy, modify, nor forge other users’ emails, files, or data.

● Users shall not use other users’ passwords nor disclose their password to others.

● Users shall not pursue unauthorized access, disruptive activities, nor other actions commonly referred to as “hacking,” internally or externally to the district.

● Users shall not disclose confidential information about themselves or others.

● Users shall not utilize unlicensed software.

● Users shall not access or permit access to pornography, obscene depictions, or other materials harmful to minors

● Students shall not disable or attempt to disable Internet filtering software.

● Utilization of the network to disseminate non-school/work-related material is discouraged

Prohibitions

Although the district reserves the right to determine what use of the district network is appropriate, the following actions are specifically prohibited:

● Transferring copyrighted materials to or from any district network without the express consent of the owner of the copyright.

● Use of the network for creation, dissemination, or viewing of defamatory, factually inaccurate, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, cyberbullying, or other material prohibited by law or district policy. 

● Dissemination of personnel or student information via the network when such information is protected by law, including the Family and Educational Rights Act or Student Data Privacy Act.

● Utilization of the network as a means for advertising or solicitation.

Monitoring

The school district reserves the right to monitor, without prior notice, any and all usage of the computer network and district Internet access, including, but not by way of limitation, email transmissions, and receptions. Any information gathered during monitoring may be copied, reviewed, and stored. All such information files shall be and remain the property of the school district, and no user shall have any expectation of privacy regarding his/her use of the computer network or the district Internet.