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NEPN/NSBA Code: GCSA-R MSAD #37 POLICY EMPLOYEE
COMPUTER AND INTERNET USE RULES
The
intent of these Board-level rules is to provide employees with general
requirements for utilizing the school unit’s computers, networks and Internet
services. The Board rules may be
supplemented by more specific administrative procedures and rules governing
day-to-day management and operation of the computer system. These
rules provide general guidelines and examples of prohibited uses for
illustrative purposes but do not attempt to state all required or prohibited
activities by users. Employees who
have questions regarding whether a particular activity or use is acceptable
should seek further guidance from the system administrator. Failure
to comply with Board policy GCSA, these rules and/or other established
procedures or rules governing computer use may result in disciplinary action,
up to and including discharge.
Illegal uses of the school unit’s computers will also result in
referral to law enforcement authorities. A. Access to School Computers,
Networks and Internet Services The level of access that
employees have to school unit computers, networks and Internet services is
based upon specific employee job requirements and needs. B. Acceptable Use Employee access to the
school unit’s computers, networks and Internet services is provided for
administrative, educational, communication and research purposes consistent
with the school unit’s educational mission, curriculum and instructional
goals. General rules and expectations
for professional behavior and communication apply to use of the school unit’s
computers, networks and Internet services. Employees are to utilize the school unit’s computers,
networks and Internet services for school-related purposes and performance of
job duties. Incidental personal use
of school computers is permitted as long as such use does not interfere with
the employee’s job duties and performance, with system operations or other
system users. “Incidental personal
use” is defined as use by an individual employee for occasional personal
communications. Employees are
reminded that such personal use must comply with this policy and all other
applicable policies, procedures and rules. C. Prohibited Use The employee is
responsible for his/her actions and activities involving school unit
computers, networks and Internet services and for his/her computer files,
passwords and accounts. General examples
of unacceptable uses which are expressly prohibited include, but are not
limited to, the following: 1. Any use that is illegal or in violation of other Board policies,
including harassing, discriminatory or threatening communications and
behavior, violations of copyright laws, etc.; 2. Any use involving materials that are obscene, pornographic,
sexually explicit or sexually suggestive; 3. Any inappropriate communications with students or minors; 4. Any use for private financial gain, or commercial, advertising
or solicitation purposes; 5. Any use as a forum for communicating by e-mail or any other
medium with other school users or outside parties to solicit, proselytize,
advocate or communicate the views of an individual or non-school sponsored
organization; to solicit membership
in or support of any non-school-sponsored organization; or to raise funds for
any non-school-sponsored purpose, whether for-profit or not-for-profit. No employee shall knowingly provide school
e-mail addresses to outside parties whose intent if to communicate with
school employees, students and/or their families for non-school
purposes. Employees who are uncertain
as to whether particular activities are acceptable should seek further
guidance from the building principal or other appropriate administrator. 6. Any communication that represents personal views as those of the
school unit or that could be misinterpreted as such; 7. Downloading or loading software or applications without
permission from the system administrator; 8. Opening or forwarding any e-mail attachments (executable files)
from unknown sources and/or that may contain viruses; 9. Sending mass e-mails to school users or outside parties for
school or non-school purposes without the permission of the system
administrator/designee; 10. Any malicious use or disruption of the school unit’s computers,
networks and Internet services or breach of security features; 11. Any misuse or damage to the school unit’s computer equipment; 12. Misuse of the computer passwords or accounts (employee or other
users); 13. Any communications that are in violation of generally accepted
rules of network etiquette and/or professional conduct; 14. Any attempt to access unauthorized sites; 15. Failing to report a known breach of computer security to the
system administrator; 16. Using school computers, networks and Internet services after
such access has been denied or revoked;
and, 17. Any attempt to delete, erase or otherwise conceal any
information stored on a school computer that violates these rules. D. No Expectation of Privacy The school unit retains
control, custody and supervision of all computers, networks and Internet
services owned or leased by the school unit.
The school unit reserves the right to monitor all computers and
Internet activity by employees and other system users. Employees have no expectation of privacy
in their use of school computers, including e-mail messages and stored files. E. Confidentiality of
Information Employees are expected to
use appropriate judgment and caution in communications concerning students
and staff to ensure that personally identifiable information remains
confidential. F. Staff Responsibilities to
Students Teachers, staff members
and volunteers who utilize school computers for instructional purposes with
students have a duty of care to supervise such use. Teachers, staff members and volunteers are expected to be
familiar with the school unit’s policies and rules concerning student
computer and Internet use and to enforce them. When, in the course of their duties, employees/volunteers
become aware of student violations, they are expected to stop the activity
and inform the building principal/designee. G. Compensation for Losses, Costs
and/or Damages The employee shall be
responsible for any losses, costs or damages incurred by the school unit
related to violations of policy GCSA and/or these rules. H. School Unit Assumes No
Responsibility for Unauthorized Charges, Costs or Illegal Use The school unit assumes no
responsibility for any unauthorized charges made by employees including but
not limited to credit card charges, subscriptions, long distance telephone
charges, equipment and line costs, or for any illegal use of its computers
such as copyright violations. I. Employee Acknowledgment
Required Each employee authorized
to access the school unit’s computers, networks and Internet services is
required to sign an acknowledgment form (GCSA-E) stating that they have read
policy GCSA and these rules. The
acknowledgment form will be retained in the employee’s personnel file. Cross reference: GCSA—Employee Computer
and Internet Use IJNDB—Student
Computer and Internet Use IJNDB-R—Student
Computer and Internet Use Rules Adopted: November 29, 2000 |
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